1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

Congress already created a bipartisan body, America250, to plan the nation's 250th birthday. Trump bypassed it entirely, stood up a parallel operation called Freedom 250 under his personal control, and used it to solicit undisclosed corporate donations — including from America250's own sponsors. That is not a celebration of America. That is a political operation dressed up as one. The results speak for themselves. Two-thirds of the announced performers withdrew within days. Martina McBride said she was misled about the event's nonpartisan nature. Bret Michaels said it had "evolved into something much more divisive." Trump responded by calling the departing artists "Third Rate" and attempting to replace the concert with a MAGA rally. The event also included plans for a Christian Nationalist religious service and a UFC gladiatorial tournament. This is a 250th anniversary celebration for all Americans, not a vehicle for one man's political brand. I want you to publicly condemn the politicization of these celebrations, demand full donor transparency for Freedom 250, and support restoring America250 as the sole organizing body for the semiquincentennial. Every American deserves a birthday that belongs to the country — not to whoever happens to be in the White House.