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>> 250 years ago today, a declaration of independence from British rule. >> Apprentice whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. >> I'm Scott Simon.
>> I'm I Sharasko, and this is a first from MPR News.
[MUSIC] >> American celebrate with events and communities all over the country last night at Mount Rushmore. Two years ago, they laughed at us now it's only respect. And I want to tell you, the best is yet to come. >> If things are going so well, why do the president's former Republican allies want
to create a new political party? >> And if you're more begins in Tehran for the late Shemprim leader, Ayatola Ali coming in.
“>> So stay with us, we have the news you need to start your weekend.”
[MUSIC] >> As America marks 250 years, remember, we the people make a free press possible.
Together, we hold the powerful to account with reporting for the public,
funded by the public at plus.npr.org. >> This week on shore wave, working from home is popular. >> No commute, sweatpants, people who do it say makes them happier. >> And the data suggests they're probably wrong about that on average at least. >> We unpack a new study about the social isolation of remote work.
And what it means for your help. This week on shore wave and PR Science podcast, listen daily on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. >> Are you tired of looking for a comfort show or film and realize it's moved to yet another streaming service? Or having a buy more storage for your $1,000 smart phone? Is it even possible to truly own anything anymore?
On it's been a minute, we dig into how folks online are taking back their agency in the media we all consume. Listen to it's been a minute on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. >> Fireworks, parades, hot dogs, speeches. >> But this year's for for July is complicated by a ferocious heat wave hitting much of the country. And is also complicated by the country's deep political and cultural divides.
>> And here's Brian Manjo and just Brian, thanks for being with us. >> Happy Independence Day Scott. >> And also to you, let's begin with President Trump who spoke at Montgomery Rushmore last night, what did he say? >> Well, the speech began pretty traditionally for what the July we can address. Trump spoke about what he sees as the exceptional nature of the United States.
“But then he turned to darker themes arguing that the American way of life is under attack from immigrants”
and people on the left. >> There is now a resurgence of the communist menace in our land, including from newcomers to our country who embrace ideas. Totally opposed to our way of life and our great success. >> That was a big part of Trump's speech, he likened what he portrayed as this internal menace to Pearl Harbor in 9/11. >> The President's framing of this fourth of July has been controversial in question, right?
>> That's right, Trump started this by bypassing a bipartisan commission that had been created to celebrate the 250th anniversary. Democrats last week issued a report accusing Trump of hijacking that was their word, this independent stay turning into what they said, what they said should be a moment of unity into a partisan event that enriched Trump's allies.
And Pierre did reach out to freedom to 50. That's the group Trump created to organize events for this fourth of July. A spokesperson Daniel Alvarez called the Democrats' accusations categorically false and a partisan smear. >> Brian, you've been talking to people on the streets of New York City about how they
she's a holiday, what do they tell you? >> Well, you know, despite all these tensions, people are finding ways to celebrate. I spoke with two friends, lowest highman and Linda Sidlaskas who went to a historic tavern here in Lower Manhattan. >> We decided to have lunch at Francis Tavern because it was where, you know, the
rebels used to gather in the early days of the revolution.
And it's a real revolutionary place so we wanted to do something revolutionary.
>> And Sidlaskas told me Scott that on this holiday weekend, they're celebrating, but they are also worried about the state of the country. >> These are the times that try men's souls.
“So I think that our democracy is being stretched to the limit.”
She was, of course, partially quoting Thomas Payne there from his 1776 essay of the American crisis. I do think it's also important to remember for a lot of folks, the Fourth of July is still just about having fun as I was out talking to people yesterday. I think my favorite interview was with Logan Long's worth.
He's eight years old from New Jersey out on holiday with his parents. >> How I'm going to be celebrating the Fourth of July is, I'm going to like some firecrackers and stuff like that and we also saw the statue of liberty.
>> Can you say a thing that you like about the United States?
>> The ball deal. >> I love that.
I think we can all agree.
Scott ball deals are pretty cool. >> Absolutely. The coolest.
“One of the kind of crisis, this Fourth of July, of course, is the heat.”
A lot of states are celebrating, but they're trying to keep people safe at the same time. How's that working out? >> You know, it's a real mess. Things got so hot yesterday. President Trump's great American state fair had to close to the public through the
afternoon in Washington, D.C., an independent state parade there has been canceled Philadelphia. Also, canceling parades, fire risk across the country, canceling some fireworks. But there are still some fun things happening. Boston pops in Boston, a big firework show in Seattle, but take water along. Stay in the shade.
People say limit your time outdoors to be safe. >> And here's Brian Man in New York City, Brian. Thanks so much. Happy holiday. You as well, Scott, thanks.
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“>> Though the founders complained about the summer heat in Philadelphia, it was pleasant”
there on this day in 1776. Thomas Jefferson recorded 76 degrees at one PM before he may be joined by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams took the declaration of independence to be printed. >> And here's Ron Elving during this now. Ron, thanks for being with us.
>> Good to be with you, Scott, and happy fourth to you, my friend. He's causing many of the day celebrations to be scaled back for safety sake. Will America's 250th birthday be tamer, not as multi-partisan than the 1976 by Centennial, which we remember. >> The day is young, it's still too early to judge whether this heat dome will
down the crowd sizes or shorten tempers or just put a damper on it all, but to some degree, that might be a good fit for the mood of this holiday, which seems subdued compared to earlier years. Polls show Americans are less optimistic, and somewhat less patriotic than in past years. One measure now shows Americans slightly less patriotic on average than citizens of other
countries, and that's quite a departure from the past, and it's certainly more down beat today than 50 years ago, in 1976 when the nightmares of Vietnam and Watergate scandals
were finally over, and their memories were beginning to receive.
The country was ready to move on, ready to believe its best days were still head, and yes, Americans were in a mood to parties at summer, in big cities like New York, and small town parades all over the country. >> Supreme Court wrapped up its most recent session this week, and released some of their most significant decisions, didn't they?
>> Oh my, it was quite a package, and it had gut punches for partisans on both sides. Democrats were distressed that the court continued to dismantle restraints on campaign spending, especially those that allow big contributors to coordinate spending with candidates, but it was especially striking to see the shock and to smay on the right over the court's decision-up holding birthright citizenship.
Now, this has been around back to English common law before the American Revolution. It's been confirmed by the high court more than once, and most legal observers expected it to be upheld once again, so many were surprised the book was so close. And that close boat surely lends momentum to the Trump administration's efforts to minimize and even villainize immigration.
>> Bended to our financial disclosure, this week revealed the President Trump made more than
a billion dollars in his first year back in the White House, considerably more than the
year before.
“Is it only responsible to ask if he has enriched himself at office?”
>> Donald Trump was rich long before he was president, but there was always a lot of debate about just how rich. And that debate is not over. Not all presidents have added wealth while in office, but in recent decades with book deals and speaking fees, it's become easier than ever for a president to cash in.
But never on a scale remotely comparable to this, and not with such an array of transactions that would seem to pose a conflict of interest for anyone in the overall office. >> And former Trump allies, Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Green, say they want to create a new political party, are we witnessing in 2026 the two party systems splintering, as more Republicans question President Trump, Magra Republicans take on centrist and recent primary
victories have produced more Democratic socialist candidates in the Democratic party. In a word, yes, both sides are finding it increasingly difficult to enforce party unity, difficult even to appeal to party spirit, or plead for party cohesion. The parties can't control the actions and statements of prominent politicians who want to stand out, who want to be where the voters seem to be, and they know what gets attention.
They know what builds the following, especially in the wide open cyberspaces of social media. And piercing your contributor Ron Elvin Ron, thanks so very much for being with us, good holiday
To you.
>> And to you, Scott, thank you.
“>> It's been four months since Iran's Supreme Leader was killed in U.S. Israeli air strikes,”
and now Iran will bury him.
>> Those are the sounds of a huge crowd of people in Tehran who attended the first
of a series of ceremonies planned for Ayatollah Ali Kaminehi's funeral. >> Sorbonne's and precessions across five cities are planned for the day's long funeral and pierce Hadeel El Shalchi is covering this from Istanbul Hadeel, thanks for being with us. >> Good morning, Scott.
It's like in Iran. >> Well, Iranians state media showed a massive crowd of people at the Imam Humani Grand Musaullah, which is a large prayer complex in Tehran. People were visiting Ayatollah Ali Kaminehi's casket, which was draped with the Iranian flag. The caskets of four of his killed family members were also there.
We saw men and women wearing black. They wept openly, women slap their heads with their hands in mourning, men beat their chests in unison, which is a tradition in Chia Funerals. There were also a chance of death to America and big red signs that red kill Trump. Some people waived flags, red ones that symbolized revenge.
And many yellow ones that represented the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia has bolo, which has been fighting with Israel since the beginning of the war. Now a spokesperson for the funeral preparation said the ceremonies were delayed this long because of quote the war conditions and what he called the brutal U.S. invasion. But really Scott, right now, this week, the funeral is a way for the Iranian regime to try
to show stability and power to Iranians and the rest of the world, sort of sending a message
that the Islamic Revolutionary power that leads the country is still enjoying popularity.
“How about the attendance by world leaders in Iranian officials?”
Well yesterday a number of official foreign delegations and religious leaders attended a ceremony as Hamanai late in state, Russia, which is supported Iran during the war, sent former president Demetri Medvedev and Pakistani Prime Minister was there. The president of Iraq was in attendance as well as the Afghan Foreign Minister. And even Saudi Arabia, which has been at odds with Iran for decades and where Iran attacked
a U.S. military base in March, sent to delegation. There was also a group of officials from Hamas there. Now on from the Iranian side, Iran's president, Foreign Minister and the Speaker of Parliament, who's been the head of the ceasefire negotiating team with the U.S., we're all seen in praying near the casket.
But so far there's been no sign of Iran's current leader, Hamanai's son, Mustafa Hamanai, who is in fact, yet to be seen in public at all since he took over in March. But what are Iranians saying about the funeral?
“So Hamanai was a divisive figure in Iran.”
He was a supreme leader since 1989, and he oversaw the expansion of the Iranian Revolutionary
Guard Corps, which is responsible for the killing of at least 10,000 protesters in Iran according to Wright's groups. We spoke to a 32-year-old woman who's brother was killed during the protests in January, and she asked NPR not to use her name fearing the government. "Just as up, she said, "Yeah, I'm telling you."
She says that even in the ayah to last death, he still causes them torment. We also spoke to a 33-year-old Fatma, who also asked NPR to only use her first name because she was afraid of the government, said she argued with her family all the time, especially her mother, who she says sees Hamanai as part of her religion. And she is definitely going to take part in the funeral Fatma says about her mother.
"The ayah, total will be very thirsty, but else is planned." Mornars will visit the body over the weekend in Tehran, on Monday, a funeral procession will take the body to the city of Kham. The procession will then cross into Iraq, where he will be taken to Shi'a religious sites in the holy cities of Najiff and Ketabla.
Finally, he'll be transported back to Iran, where he'll be buried in his birthplace of Meshhead on Thursday, and Iranian officials are saying they expect millions of people to attend. NPR said he was a little shalt, she said, "Thank you" and that's it for Saturday, the 4th of July 2021, and I'm in Sarasco, they've missed the post today's podcast along with Kabel Connor, Andy Craig, and my Gerat Cliff.
Our editors are Luis Clements at McNulty, Miguel Maseyus, Jacob Fenston, and Elisa Greer. Our director is Elena Toric, who worked alongside technical director J.S.'s. Our engineering support comes from Tom Marquito, Valentina Rodriguez, Sanchez, and Tiffany Veracastra, proud Patriots All. And just like the spirit of 76 with the drum, a tricer on her hat, her senior supervising
editor Shannon Rose. In the center, on her drum, parents did a link away, it's a executive producer, Evie Stone.
And, fight to the lips, bandage to the head, it's none other than our deputy ...
Senator Catherine Leidlaw.
“Tomorrow, on this Sunday's story, division in the land of Lincoln, fed up with the dominance”
of Chicago politics, a growing number of Illinois's rural counties want to succeed and create a 51st state.
Thank you for listening, and for supporting your local inferior station, and if you need
to find yours, go to stations.npr.org.
“Don't let the 250th anniversary of this country distract you from that.”
Yeah, you've got to do that, and also, stay safe in that heat.
Yeah, stay safe in that heat.
Stay safe in that heat. Stay safe in that heat. High-grade. High-grade. Look out for shade.
Sit down, take a nap. Yes. And listen to us while you do.
“Hi, it's Terry Gross, host of Fresh Air.”
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