America at 250: Visitors Reflect on Declaration Amid Political Divides
America's 250th anniversary arrives at a time of profound political divisions and heightened anxiety in some quarters about whether representative government in the world's oldest democracy can endure. Cultural institutions, sporting events, and even communities are polarized. Yet, if there is any place where bitter partisanship is set aside, even temporarily, it is within the rotunda of the National Archives in Washington, D.C., home to the nation's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, which will be commemorated this year.
A Silent Reverence in the Rotunda
The room is filled with a silent sense of reverence as visitors gaze down at the light brown parchment, secured under bullet-proof glass, that helped create the foundation of a government that has inspired people globally for over two centuries. Its significance was not lost on those who filtered in on a recent day, braving a deep freeze in the nation's capital to ensure they would not miss this stop on their Washington tour. Even as the crowd grew, the atmosphere was charged with the awareness that people were in the presence of something momentous.
Their visits coincided with a national reckoning over President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement actions, which had led to the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens on the streets of Minneapolis and grave concerns about attacks on constitutional rights. The Associated Press interviewed visitors after they had viewed the Declaration of Independence, along with the Constitution and Bill of Rights, for their thoughts on the state of America and its future as it approached its semiquincentennial moment.
Hope Amid Ideological Divides
Visitors acknowledged the country's ideological divides but were often reluctant to assign blame, expressing hope that the nation would repair itself, as it has done many times throughout history. With the Rotunda's bus-sized oil on canvas paintings of the Founding Fathers as a backdrop, they gave nuanced responses when asked whether America was living up to the ideals of its founding documents and where it might be headed.
Ryan O’Neil, visiting from West Bloomfield, Michigan, noted that while the country is split politically—what he called “very tribal”—he finds hope in the documents at the National Archives because they have guided the country for 250 years. "We’ve not yet lived up to everything that we had hoped to, but we are continuing to progress and get closer to that," he said. The Archives has a special exhibit marking the 250th anniversary, "The American Story," highlighting the complex history, mixing astonishing accomplishments with darker moments.
O'Neil, 42, observed that the U.S. has faced similar divisive situations throughout its history and always managed to regroup. "Despite many tests over the years, going back to its founding, throughout the last 250 years it has withstood challenges, has withstood complaints, has withstood protests, and continues to evolve to what we have today," he added.
Perspectives on Leadership and Media
Kevin Sullivan, who traveled from Milwaukee with his wife, acknowledged the country's divisive moment but said it wasn't the only one faced, giving him hope for the future. "So I have some faith that we’ll put some of the uglier partisan disputes behind us," he stated. Sullivan, 69, supported some of Trump's goals, like securing the southern border, but was conflicted about the president's approach.
He opposed Democratic threats to shut off funding for the Department of Homeland Security without drastic reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but also disliked the mass deportation policy. His advice to lawmakers and the president would be to hold meaningful discussions away from cameras to find solutions. Looking at the oil paintings of the founders, he remarked that having today's media report on the writing of the Declaration probably “would not have been a positive development for the decisions and the discussions that were going on at Independence Hall.”
International Views and Confusion
The Rev. Michael Stokes, a priest with the Church of England visiting friends in Washington, noted that others look at the diversity of people, religions, and industry that come together “for this one common purpose of America.” It's a vision that has inspired the world, he said, but also appears to be waning. "I think this is the time in history where it’s been challenged the most with the actions of the current administration. I think that the rest of the world is looking and seeing how this thing, this Constitution, which is held with such pride, the Bill of Rights, which is held with pride, how can that also be held in tension with a popularly elected government that seems to disregard so much of it," Stokes explained. "And I think the rest of the world is looking at that with some confusion.”
Lofty Ideals and Ongoing Struggles
Morgan Whitman, an executive assistant from Miami, said reading the documents created a mix of emotions. The ideals were lofty, but “there’s also of course the feelings of hypocrisy” because Thomas Jefferson had argued for a passage opposing slavery that was not included. "So I think we have this document that fought for independence and life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness," she reflected. "My only wish was that it was for everybody at the time."
Whitman, 25, expressed gratitude for rights many others lack but fear that some are under threat, citing the killing by federal agents of Veterans Affairs ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. "Take immigration out of it. These are American citizens that are being harmed now. That’s unacceptable," she emphasized.
Seeking Common Ground in a Divided Era
Jerry Curl, visiting from Diamond, Illinois with his wife Bobbi, a Trump supporter, said the president's second term has so far "lived up to my beliefs." However, he has stepped away from news coverage due to its negativity. When asked about immigration enforcement, he advocated for respectful discussions where people could share views. "We owe it to our future generations that we never meet to uphold this," he said of the founding documents.
Curl, 62, noted that the signers of the Declaration undoubtedly disagreed but found common ground to create a new nation. He wonders whether the same spirit is alive today. "Where we can now find common grounds to keep this one great nation on track is hard for me to fathom," he concluded.
