'Tremendous frustration': How Trump's strong-arming of 250th anniversary group 'backfired'

In a move aimed at cementing control over America’s Semiquincentennial (America250), President Donald Trump and his allies attempted to replace four veteran Republican commissioners with loyalists — only for their plan to collapse spectacularly.

The Atlantic reported Wednesday that despite initial signals of compliance, all four refused to resign, prompting House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to withdraw the pressure and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to oppose any shake‑up.

According to the report, the maneuver instead triggered internal resistance and political backlash, leaving Trump’s influence diminished rather than strengthened.

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America250 was created by Congress as a bipartisan commission charged with uniting “350 million Americans for the 250th.” But this spring, Trump drew up a high-profile $33 million event strategy, centering black‑tie galas, rallies, and a Washington military parade around himself.

The tipping point came July 3 in Des Moines, where Trump swaggered onto an America250-themed stage and railed against Democrats — “I hate them… I cannot stand them, because I really believe they hate our country," the report noted.

According to the report, leading the internal effort was Ariel Abergel, a former Fox News producer appointed executive director of America250. He personally asked the four commissioners, long-tenured Republicans, to step aside.

Johnson echoed that request.

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But the Atlantic reported that Trump's gambit "backfired" in unexpected ways: the commissioners held firm, demands were withdrawn, and other commission members openly criticized Abergel’s grasp of the role.

One commissioner told the Atlantic: “This position should have been reserved for a much more experienced and substantive candidate… The 250th is too important as a milestone for our country to jeopardize it with someone who doesn’t take it seriously.”

“So far, the best work they have done is being part of this loyal cabal,” said an individual "familiar with the White House thinking on the sitting commission."

“There has been tremendous frustration with the lack of programmatic purpose, planning, and production.”

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