(PLO)- The Christmas tree lighting ceremony was performed by US President Donald Trump on the night of December 5, just hours after the Democratic Party began drafting articles of impeachment against him.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attended the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony at The Ellipse Park, outside the White House, with hundreds of guests and a few officials, according to The Hill.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Trump did not mention any content related to political issues or impeachment against him. The White House owner only expressed his thanks to the staff who organized this ceremony and reviewed a bit of the history of Christmas.
“Malania and I want to wish you a very, very Merry Christmas,” Mr. Trump said.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Trump did not mention the topic of politics and his impeachment. Photo: AP
President Trump then counted down 5 seconds while First Lady Melania pressed the switch to light up the entire Christmas tree to the lively music of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, officially starting the holiday season in the US.
According to CNN, the Christmas tree is 9 meters tall and decorated with 50,000 lights and 450 giant white stars. The US National Park Service planted this tree at Ellipse Park in late October.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony outside the White House on the night of December 5. Photo: AFP
Hundreds of people also gathered near the park to witness the lighting of the national tree as well as enjoy musical performances by many artists. Among the attendees were only US Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and a number of Republican congressmen.
Previously, Mrs. Trump revealed that this year’s Christmas will be decorated with the theme “Spirit of America”, with more than 59 pine trees, 15,000 bows and more than 2,000 strings of colored lights.
The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place a few hours after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that the House of Representatives had asked the House Judiciary Committee to draft articles of impeachment against Mr. Trump.
The Christmas tree lighting ceremony is a very welcome activity in the United States, starting more than 90 years ago under Mr. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States.
On Christmas Eve 1923, Mr. Coolidge lit a 15-meter-tall Christmas tree decorated with thousands of colorful lights.
(PLO)- This Christmas, the White House will be decorated with the theme “Spirit of America”. The White House will be open throughout December for residents and visitors to enjoy the Christmas scene.
