The United States marked an unusually somber Independence Day on Saturday, with President Donald Trump bashing domestic opponents and China — but praising the country’s coronavirus response, despite a record surge in cases. Across the country, virus fears dampened or nixed Main Street parades, backyard barbecues and family reunions on a day when Americans typically celebrate their 1776 declaration of independence from Britain. Instead of adopting a unifying tone, Trump — facing a tough re-election and eager to mobilize his political base — railed against protesters demanding racial justice after unarmed African American George Floyd was killed by a white police officer.
