NPR News: 07-05-2026 9AM EDT

Windsor Johnston· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump marked the nation's two hundred fiftieth birthday with a speech on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. last night. Record-breaking heat and severe thunderstorms forced a temporary evacuation. NPR's Deepa Shivaram reports the event resumed with Trump using the address to praise American exceptionalism, patriotism, and military strength.

Deepa Shivaram0:27

Trump spoke for roughly forty minutes on the National Mall, where crowds had been evacuated hours before due to weather conditions. Trump's remarks wove through American history as he welcomed veterans to the stage and praised the U.S. military.

Donald Trump· Soundbite0:43

We are made of the courage and the fire and the flesh and the blood of the best and the bravest people this world has ever produced. We are the bravest and the best.

Deepa Shivaram0:53

He also mentioned other significant people in history, including Davy Crockett and the Wright brothers, and he brought the crew of the Artemis II mission on stage, saying that America has gone to the moon and would next go to Mars. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, Washington.

Windsor Johnston· Host1:07

China and Russia are kicking off joint naval drills off the coast of eastern China today. NPR's Emily Feng reports the exercises demonstrate the two countries' increasing military cooperation.

Emily Feng1:20

China and Russia have been holding joint naval exercises since the early 2000s, and these naval drills were first held in two thousand and twelve. But the scope and frequency of these exercises