San Diego County and its Democratic-led Board of Supervisors are under scrutiny following changes to the America 250 Fourth of July celebration initially planned as a tribute to the Declaration of Independence. The event has been restructured with sponsorship requirements grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles.
The celebration’s agenda includes a tribal blessing, a land acknowledgment, and nearly two hours of community stories showcasing ‘historically underserved populations.’ Bill Wells, mayor of El Cajon—a city in San Diego County—and others have criticized the perceived marginalization of America’s founding in the event planned along a San Diego-area waterfront. The event lacks sufficient funds and has lost at least one sponsor who refused mandatory DEI compliance, according to county board documents and internal emails sourced by Fox News Digital.
“I propose an alternative plan: 1. Recognize America and its achievements. 2. Celebrate with fireworks and the American National Anthem,” Wells expressed on X, attaching the scheduled program for the event as acquired by Fox News Digital.
A flyer by San Diego County for the 2026 celebration at Waterfront Park highlights the 250th anniversary of America. As detailed in the Fox News Digital report, the event will feature ‘Tribal Intimate blessing welcoming to land,’ a ‘Welcoming and Land Acknowledgment,’ followed by a ‘Tribal Invocation,’ both the Black and regular national anthems, and nearly two hours of local community stories. These stories will focus on tribal, Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, LGBT, and Black communities.
The event’s conclusion will feature music, food trucks, exhibitions, and fireworks.
David McIntosh, President of the conservative political group Club for Growth, commented, “The official government July 4th itinerary of San Diego reads like the opening ceremony of the Democratic Socialists of America convention.”
In February, Jim Desmond, a Republican San Diego County Supervisor, introduced an agenda for a Fourth of July event to commemorate the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary. He cited the region’s historical connection to the nation’s defense and civic institutions. The board, under a 3-2 Democratic majority, later passed a motion for changes, mandating the involvement of the Office of Equity and Racial Justice and the county’s Tribal Liaison to focus on tribal nations, immigrant communities, LGBT groups, and other ‘underserved populations.’
“Supervisors Desmond and Anderson initiated a 250th celebration. The three Democrats rewrote the plan, aligning it with the county’s goals for equity, inclusion, and racial justice, handing over the planning to the Office of Equity and Racial Justice,” Wells shared on X, along with meeting minutes documenting Democratic amendments.
Wells remarked to Fox News Digital, “Independence Day is about celebrating and honoring America. The San Diego County’s approach seems to overlook this, favoring a narrative of grievances, questioning the country’s greatness. It is offensive that taxpayer money is being utilized for this purpose.”
Additionally, changes require event sponsors to commit to supporting DEI principles, prompting the withdrawal of some, according to Fox News Digital. Internal county emails show at least one sponsorship of $2,500 was retracted after the donor resisted signing a form affirming DEI alignment and immigrant community support. The emails also discuss an outstanding shortage of funds for complete staging, lighting, and sound infrastructure.
Anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck criticized the plan, asserting that Democrats are essentially excluding White community members from the Fourth of July event by concentrating on ‘equity’ and ‘underserved populations,’ labeling the approach as ‘vile.’
Fox News Digital reached out to San Diego County and its Department of Parks and Recreation for comments on the criticism but received no response.
Alec Schemmel, a Politics Reporter for Fox News Digital, compiled this report. He hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, and is currently based in the Washington D.C.-Baltimore Metro Area.