Trump allies want to smash the Guinness World Record for the biggest fireworks show ever on Fourth of July.

Why it matters: The supersized spectacle for America's 250th birthday is the latest Trump touch on D.C., including a never-before-seen UFC cage fight on the White House lawn next month — putting Washington on its highest-ever July 4 security footing.

📣 What we're hearing: The fireworks spectacle will run 30 minutes — about twice as long as last year's on the National Mall.

• Freedom 250, a White House-backed initiative, is tapping Pennsylvania-based Pyrotecnico to run the show. Its resume includes major events like the Super Bowl.

🧨 Jodi Dague, Pyrotecnico's director of marketing, tells Axios: "We are shooting to break the record."

• That'll take more than 810,904 fireworks, topping a 2016 show in the Philippines.

The feds are declaring the day a National Special Security Event, unlike previous Independence Day celebrations, activating a flood-the-zone law-enforcement response that's implemented for presidential inaugurations.

• The Secret Service will take the lead on coordinating security, and a spokesperson told Axios that "increased security measures" will take effect "in the days leading up to, during and immediately following the event."

🎇 What they're saying: The National Mall will be hosting the Great American State Fair that day, and Freedom 250 organizers are planning speeches, flyovers and performances.

• "This will culminate in a breathtaking fireworks finale that will shatter world records and stand as the most spectacular firework display the world has ever seen," Freedom 250 spokesperson Rachel Reisner told Axios in a statement.
• Freedom 250, which is funded with a public-private partnership, did not immediately respond to questions about the cost estimates or whether taxpayer funds will be used.

🚓 Behind the scenes: District and federal officials met for several hours last week to discuss July 4 security, two sources with knowledge told Axios.

• Following the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooting, and turmoil in the Metropolitan Police Department — including 13 officials put on leave over allegations of manipulating crime data — there's growing pressure on the District to make sure nothing goes wrong on July 4.

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More D.C. delivery drivers are living every day like it's Bike to Work Day, thanks to companies like DoorDash and Amazon expanding their pedal-powered fleets.

Why it matters: The benefits for workers and roadways are real — greener, quieter, zippier, less traffic, you name it.

🔋 Driving the news: Amazon is teaming up with D.C. on a new pilot program using battery-powered e-cargo bikes to deliver packages.

• The sturdy four-wheelers — think mini Amazon vans — are weather-protected and built for tight urban spaces.
• During the 10-month pilot, Amazon will deploy up to 15 cargo bikes from a "microhub" in Southwest to nearby neighborhoods.

Zoom in: DDOT says the pilot is meant to test how alternative delivery vehicles fit into a city growing more crowded from both congestion and e-commerce demand.

• The cargo bikes can use bike lanes and bus lanes, but not sidewalks. Speeds are capped at 15 mph.
• DDOT can revoke permits if operators break the rules, including stopping in bike lanes.

🚚 The big picture: Cities around the world are increasingly turning to cargo bikes for "last mile" deliveries — the final stretch between warehouses and customers' doors.

Between the lines: The pilot is also a regulatory test run.

• DDOT plans to track route distances and package totals to shape future rules around cargo bikes.
• A final report is expected next spring — and you may see more on the road soon.

By the numbers: D.C. is already one of the country's biggest hubs for bike deliveries, according to a recent DoorDash report.

• A little more than half of DoorDash deliveries in D.C. were completed on bikes or scooters.

What we're watching: More delivery bikes could create new friction over crowded bike lanes, curb access and enforcement as companies scale up — echoing the great moped war of 2024.

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🏌️‍♂️ We got a new look at President Trump's championship-grade golf course that he wants built at East Potomac Park:

• A 7,660-yard, 18-hole course, designed by acclaimed golf architect Tom Fazio.

Promising "affordable, highly discounted rates" for locals, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum likened it to elite, municipal courses like Bethpage Black in New York and Torrey Pines in San Diego.

• The rendering released yesterday isn't high-resolution, but observers noted it appears to preserve popular recreation space outside the existing course. Cyclists renewed their calls to retain a roadway on the peninsula's perimeter.

The Trump administration will host a nine-hour Christian prayer festival on the National Mall on Sunday as part of America's 250th. Critics say the event promotes Christian nationalism, while organizers describe it as a celebration of America's religious heritage. (Washington Post)

• Expect street closures and increased security, especially as the event coincides with GWU graduation.

🎶 Sounds like: making history. The Library of Congress just added 25 recordings to its 2026 National Recording Registry, including Taylor Swift's "1989," Beyoncé's "Single Ladies," and The Go-Go's "Beauty and the Beat." The picks, selected for cultural and historical significance, bring the registry to 700 titles.

🏇The 151st Preakness Stakes happens tomorrow in a brand new location: Maryland's Laurel Park, while the Triple Crown race's Pimlico home undergoes renovations. Golden Tempo — who stole the Kentucky Derby and our hearts — won't be there, but there are plenty of reasons to go.

Welcome to the best Nats weekend of the season — and sorry, baseball purists, it's not all about play.

State of play: The cutest boy in MLB is guaranteed to make a home run Friday: Natty, the team's new golden-lab puppy. Don't paws on tickets — the service dog in-training debuts on "Hot Dog Day" for a Beltway Series weekend vs. the Orioles.

• The first 20,000 fans score the much-hyped hot dog hat for the 6:45pm game — this season's snappiest accessory.

🌭 Specialty hot dogs are just $5, but dialed up to a ten — think spicy Korean corn dogs topped with Hot Cheetos, and a Chicago dog-inspired pickle margarita garnished with a sport pepper and Vienna sausage.

What's next: Saturday keeps the momentum going with an Alex Ovechkin bobblehead giveaway for the first 20,000 fans at the 4:05pm game.

• Natty says: "Stay, Ovi, stay!"