Senate Democrat questions $10 million request for Freedom 250 event costs
Senator Jeff Merkley asked the Interior Department for details on a $10 million reimbursement request tied to the 250th-anniversary celebrations, saying the money should come from private donors rather than taxpayers.
Senator Jeff Merkley, the lead Democrat on the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, wrote to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum seeking clarification on a $10 million reimbursement request for events marking the United States’ semiquincentennial. The request, he said, would cover costs incurred by the National Park Service during a May prayer event, a two-week state fair and the July 4th fireworks and speech.
Merkley noted that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of July 2025 had already allocated $150 million to the Interior Department for the anniversary, most of which has been directed to Freedom 250, the Trump-appointed group overseeing the celebrations, rather than the bipartisan America250 committee established by Congress. He asked why additional taxpayer funds were needed when private donors were expected to cover the balance.
"It is unacceptable to ask the American people to bail out Freedom 250," Merkley wrote.
Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez responded that the request stemmed from heightened security needs, citing recent incidents such as the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting and other threats. She said the group would not let partisan criticism deter the celebrations.
"Their divisive rhetoric forced Freedom 250 to increase security at these events, but we won't let that stop us from honoring our country's milestone," Alvarez said.
Democrats have previously released a report accusing Freedom 250 of opaque fundraising and potential wire-fraud violations, claims the organization denies as a partisan attack. The Interior Department said the additional funding would address expenses related to an "elevated security posture" for high-profile events.
Senator Merkley sent a list of five questions to the department, including details on past National Park Service expenses and information about Freedom 250 donors, and requested responses by the end of the following week. The status of the funding request remains unclear.