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MEDORA, N.D. — President Donald Trump will visit the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora ahead of its July 4 grand opening, according to an announcement from the White House’s Freedom 250 on Saturday.
Freedom 250 is the national initiative working alongside the White House’s Task Force 250 to spearhead the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
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Trump will be among distinguished guests set to visit the library on July 1 before heading back to Washington, Freedom 250 said. The announcement didn’t specify whether Trump would be speaking during the appearance, but Interior Secretary and former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said Trump would be cutting the ceremonial ribbon at the library.
“As we celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary, it’s a tremendous honor for our 45th and 47th President to cut the ribbon at the library and National Park honoring the President who led our nation during its 125th anniversary. Americans will experience Roosevelt’s remarkable story at an extraordinary place that pairs his timeless ideals with cutting-edge technology to inspire visitors to get ‘in the arena’ and serve something larger than themselves,” Burgum said.
The announcement confirms rumors about a presidential visit raised by the U.S. Forest Service’s recent disclosure that National Forest System land within 4 miles of Medora will be closed June 22 to July 7 to ensure “security and public safety” during the period surrounding the grand opening.
The library is a roughly decade-long, $450 million project outside Medora that will tell the story of Roosevelt’s life, including his time in North Dakota and the impact that time had on him, according to Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Executive Director Robbie Lauf.
“We are honored that President Donald Trump chose to kick off America’s 250th celebration in the Badlands — the rugged country that shaped Theodore Roosevelt,” Lauf said.
After nearly three years of construction, the library’s grand opening is scheduled for July 4 at 10:27 a.m., in honor of Roosevelt’s birthday on Oct. 27, 1858.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed an executive order in April directing state agencies to prepare staff and resources to assist with celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary over the July 4 holiday, including the grand opening of the library.
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The state will also activate 50 National Guard troops to assist with those celebrations. The North Dakota Emergency Commission approved a $283,000 request to deploy the troops during a meeting Monday.
Vice President JD Vance made a surprise visit to the library last July 4.
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