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US Vice President JD Vance used a July Fourth address marking the 250th anniversary of American independence to defend the country’s legacy, accusing critics of dwelling on its shortcomings instead of recognising its achievements.
Speaking from the deck of the USS Kearsarge in New York Harbor on Saturday, Vance said some Americans were overly focused on the nation’s “imperfections” and failed to appreciate what he described as the country’s enduring greatness. “You will hear a couple of small but loud voices today speak obsessively not of our national greatness, but of our national imperfections,” Vance said.
He argued that such critics highlighted America’s past wrongs “with the anger and zeal of a brimstone preacher” but without the “grace or forgiveness” central to the Christian faith, adding that they “misunderstand the essence of America”.
The vice president urged citizens to reject what he called a narrow view of both the country and their fellow Americans.
“Reject the two-dimensional view of your fellow citizens and reject the two-dimensional view of your country,” he said as dozens of tall ships from more than 20 countries sailed through New York Harbor behind him.
The ceremony formed part of nationwide celebrations commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, a milestone marking 250 years since the birth of the United States.
Vance’s remarks echoed comments made a day earlier by President Donald Trump, who criticised what he described as “radicals and extremists” threatening the country’s identity and warned of “a resurgence of the communist menace” in the United States.
The speeches highlighted the sharp political divisions that continue to shape American public life even as the country marked one of the most significant anniversaries in its history.
The celebrations featured a parade of historic sailing vessels, a flypast by military aircraft, including the US Navy’s Blue Angels demonstration team, and patriotic displays across New York Harbor.
However, festivities were overshadowed in parts of the eastern United States by an intense heatwave. In New York City, the heat index, which combines temperature and humidity, reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius) during the afternoon, prompting health warnings for those attending outdoor events.