How Trump Put Himself in the Middle of America’s 250th

Presidents have been putting their fingerprints on national anniversaries since the republic started throwing itself birthday parties. Reagan did it for the bicentennial fireworks in 1976 before he was even president, and nobody accused him of hijacking the country's identity. So the complaint that Trump is somehow uniquely guilty of standing near the flag on America's 250th feels less like a discovery and more like a reflex.

That doesn't mean every choice was wise. If his name or likeness ends up plastered on official merchandise or podium banners in a way that looks like a campaign prop, that's a fair target and worth calling out plainly. Presidents should know the difference between showing up and showing off.

But the underlying accusation, that celebrating the country while he happens to be president amounts to loyalty to himself over the nation, is a stretch dressed up as concern. Every president since Washington has appeared at the center of national commemorations because that's the job. The 250th belongs to the country. Acting like any president standing in its spotlight is proof of ego says more about the critics' priors than about the anniversary itself.