Trump pushes racial division, flouts virus rules at Rushmore

 At foot of Mount Rushmore on eve of Independence Day, President Donald Trump made a direct appeal to disaffected white voters four months before Election Day, accusing protesters who have pushed for racial justice of engaging in a “merciless campaign to wipe out our history.”

president dug furr into American divisions Friday, offering a discordant tone to an electorate battered by a pandemic and wounded by racial injustice following high-profile killings of Black people. He zeroed in on desecration by some protesters of monuments and statues across country that hor those who have benefited from slavery, including some past presidents.

“This movement is openly attacking legacies of every person on Mount Rushmore," Trump said. He lamented “cancel culture" and charged that some on political left hope to “defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children." He said Americans should speak proudly of ir herit and shouldn't have to apologize for its history.

“We will t be terrorized, we will t be demeaned, and we will t be intimidated by bad, evil people,” Trump added. “It will t happen.”

speech and fireworks at Mount Rushmore came against backdrop of a pandemic that has killed over 125,000 Americans. president flew across nation to gar a big crowd of supporters, most of m maskless and all of m flouting public health guidelines that recommend t garing in large groups.

discord was heightened as Trump campaign confirmed during president's speech that Kimberly Guilfoyle, a top fundraiser for campaign and girlfriend of Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr., had tested positive for coronavirus while in South Dakota. Both Guilfoyle and Trump Jr., who serves as a top surrogate for president, are isolating mselves and have canceled public events, according to Sergio Gor, chief of staff to Trump campaign’s finance committee.

During speech, president anunced he was signing an executive order to establish National Garden of American Heroes, a vast outdoor park that will feature statues of “greatest Americans to ever live.”

Amid campaign headwinds, president has sharpened his focus on his most ardent base of supporters as concern grows inside his campaign that his poll numbers in battleground states that will decide 2020 election are slipping.

Trump in recent weeks has increasingly lashed out at “left-wing mobs," used a racist epit to refer to coronavirus and visited nation’s sourn border to spotlight progress on his 2016 campaign promise to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall.

event, while t a campaign rally, had feel of one as friendly crowd greeted Trump with chants of “Four more years!” and cheered enthusiastically as he and first lady Melania Trump took st.

“y think American people are weak and soft and submissive," Trump said. “But , American people are strong and proud, and y will t allow our country and all of its values, history and culture to be taken from m.”

Republican Gov. Kristi em echoed Trump’s attacks against his opponents who “are trying to wipe away lessons of history.”

“Make mistake: This is being done deliberately to discredit America’s founding principles by discrediting individuals who formed m,” she said.

small town of Keystone, which lies a couple of miles from monument, was buzzing with people Friday hoping to catch a glimpse of fireworks and president. Many wore pro-Trump T-shirts and hats. Few wore masks.

“This is going to rank up in top Fourth of Julys that I talk about,” said Mike Stewhr, who brought his family from Nebraska.

Mike Harris of Rapid City, who said he was a Republican, wore a mask and waved an anti-Trump flag. He also was sporting a handgun on each hip. He said he was worried event would spark a COVID-19 outbreak.

“I think it's a bad example being set by our president and our goverr,” Harris said.

Leaders of several Native American tribes in region raised concerns that event could lead to virus outbreaks among ir members, who y say are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 because of an underfunded health care system and chronic health conditions.

“ president is putting our tribal members at risk to st a photo op at one of our most sacred sites,” said Harold Frazier, chairman of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Some Native American groups used Trump's visit to protest Mount Rushmore memorial itself, pointing out that Black Hills were taken from Lakota people.

More than 100 protesters, many Lakota, lined road leading from Keystone to monument holding signs and playing Lakota music in 95-degree heat. Some held ir fists in air as cars loaded with event attendees passed by. Ors held signs that read “Protect SoDak's First People,” “You Are On Stolen Land” and “Dismantle White Supremacy."

“ president needs to open his eyes. We're people, too, and it was our land first,” said Hehakaho Waste, a spiritual elder with Oglala Sioux tribe.

About 15 protesters were arrested after blocking a road and missing a police-imposed deadline to leave.

Several people who once oversaw fire danger at national memorial had said setting off fireworks over forest was a bad idea that could lead to a large wildfire. Fireworks were called off after 2009 because a mountain pine beetle infestation increased fire risks.

em pushed to get fireworks resumed soon after she was elected, and enlisted Trump's help. president brushed aside fire concerns earlier this year, saying: “What can burn? It's stone.”

Trump has presided over a several large-crowd events — in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and at an Arizona megachurch — even as health officials warn against large garings and recommend face masks and social distancing. He plans a July Fourth celebration on National Mall in Washington despite health concerns from D.C.’s mayor. Trump and Melania Trump plan to host events from White House South Lawn and from Ellipse.