On Thursday, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem shared that the Biden administration has once again blocked the state from hosting July 4th fireworks at Mt. Rushmore. This is the third year in a row Biden has refused to allow the celebration.
“The best way to celebrate America’s Birthday is with fireworks at Mount Rushmore,” Noem tweeted. “Today, the Biden Administration rejected them. Again.”
The best way to celebrate America’s Birthday is with fireworks at Mount Rushmore.
Today, the Biden Administration rejected them. Again. pic.twitter.com/0J4M1xaQOy
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) January 12, 2023
2023 marks the third straight year that Noem’s application to host Independence Day fireworks at Mt. Rushmore has been rejected by the National Park Service.
In 2021, the NPS cited reasons relating to the coronavirus, environmental concerns, wildfire risks, and ongoing construction as its reason to deny the permit request to host fireworks at the federal landmark.
The permit request for fireworks was again rejected in 2022, as a letter from the U.S. Department of Interior, Mount Rushmore National Memorial Superintendent Michelle Wheatley stated that wildfire conditions could create a high likelihood of a fire, also citing opposition from Native American tribes.
“There is ample documented opposition for the Tribes to the 2020 event, and we understand from ongoing meetings with the Tribes that these concerns have not diminished,” Wheatley wrote in the letter.
In 2020, President Trump gave an inspiring 4th of July speech at Mount Rushmore.
