05-07-2025
Amid a turbulent political era, the Cape watches fireworks and reflects
People of all political stripes thronged to Cape Cod for the weekend, as they always do. Some greeted this change of course with optimism, and visions of returning to a bygone America. But others now approached this patriotic holiday with tangled feelings of what America should be and what it is now.
'I have to separate it out — the kids love the fireworks, but I'm not really feeling like celebrating," said Betsy Naughter, 52, of Belmont, as she walked down the beach with a friend on Saturday.
Advertisement
In his first six months, Trump has
Advertisement
The president and his supporters insist his actions are a correction from the progressive policies of past administrations, and will result in a more stable and economically robust America. On the morning of the Friday holiday, Trump signed his '
It's expected to increase the deficit and deportations, and result in millions fewer with health insurance. Trump signed it at the annual White House Fourth of July picnic. Fighter jets and stealth bombers streaked through the sky over the event in what Trump said was meant to honor last month's
Around the corner from the beach on Saturday, 67-year-old Dave Bourget stepped out from a kiosk with a 'Trump 2024″ sticker on it to wave a car into his parking lot. The hot Saturday was a prime beach day, and he was happily busy after enjoying the previous night's festivities.
'I do think he's taking us in the right direction,' Bourget said, citing the bill signed Friday morning. He said he likes the increased immigration enforcement and a focus on law and order. 'We've got to be taking care of our own before taking care of other people.'
Politics, in recent years, has become all-encompassing, a core part of the identity of some on the left and right alike. This frustrates Mike Don, a Manchester resident who didn't want to detail his politics as much as his dissatisfaction with the general discourse around them.
Advertisement
'If someone has issues and wants to talk about them in a calm, reasoned way, I'm happy for some healthy debate,' said Don, who was on his way back from the beach with his wife.
In the meantime, he's happy to enjoy the fireworks — but those, too, in a measured way. 'The fireworks are nice,' he said, 'but I like the big crowds less than I used to.'
Heading the other direction, beach chairs in hand, were Adriana Bauza and her husband. Bauza, 53, grinned widely when asked about how she's feeling on the 4th. Her feelings are complex, she acceded, but so is the country she loves.
'I felt so much pride on July 4,' she said. She said she isn't a fan of everything going on, including Trump's immigration policies: 'We're doing certain things that should make us feel shameful.'
But, she said, 'Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes and keep getting better.'
Globe wire services contributed.
Sean Cotter can be reached at
