Trump lights National Christmas Tree in holiday tradition

President Donald Trump helped light National Christmas Tree on Thursday, taking part in a nearly century-old holiday trition in nation’s capital. ligharted hour for presidents, going back to Calvin Coolidge, came on an orwise difficult day in Trump’s presidency. Hours before ceremony, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on Democratic chairmen to bring forward impeachment charges against Trump.

House Democrats say Trump abused his presidential powers by pressuring Ukraine’s president to open an investigation into Trump’s potential 2020 Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son. 30-foot (9-meter) tree is decorated with 50,000 lights and 450 giant white star ornaments. National Park Service planted tree in President’s Park, just south of White House, in late October. previous tree, a Coloro blue spruce from Virginia, was planted in 2012, but it was damd last year when a man tried to climb it. It’s 97th straight year that sitting president has participated in lighting ceremony.

This year’s celebration included performances by Jessie James Decker, Spensha Baker, Colton Dixon, Air Force rock band Max Impact, Chevel Shepherd, Tucson Boys Chorus, United States Marine Band and West Tennessee Youth Chorus. first tree lighting took place on Christmas Eve in 1923, when Coolidge lit a 48-foot (15-meter) balsam fir in front of 3,000 spectators. tree is surrounded by 56 smaller trees featuring ornaments from every state and territory and District of Columbia.