Gov. Larry Rhoden is inviting President Donald Trump to Mount Rushmore for Independence Day in 2026.
In a letter to Trump, Rhoden said he plans to celebrate the US’s 250th birthday with fireworks at the monument.
Fireworks have not been allowed at Mount Rushmore since 2010 due to environmental and tribal concerns. The only exception was in 2020 when Donald Trump attended a fireworks display on the 4th of July. In the years since, former Gov. Kristi Noem repeatedly tried bringing fireworks back to the memorial, but was rebuffed by the Department of the Interior.
Rhoden said with the help of the new Secretary of Interior, Doug Burgum, it may be possible to have fireworks at the monument.
Last week, Rep. Dusty Johnson released a similar statement asking Trump to return to Mount Rushmore.
