Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut have all declined to participate in the Great American State Fair — the 16-day event on the National Mall organized by Trump's Freedom 250 group as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Their reasons are clear: the federal government is asking states to foot the bill for staffing and exhibiting at a multiweek event, and several officials have described it as a more partisan affair than originally presented.

Rhode Island has not yet opted out.

This is not America's birthday party. The bipartisan America250 commission — established by Congress a decade ago to plan the nation's 250th anniversary — is running its own celebrations. Freedom 250 is a separate group created by the Trump administration, organized under a Cabinet task force, and run alongside events like a UFC fight on the White House lawn and a rally headlined by Trump himself after musicians refused to perform.

Rhode Island has its own America250 events to focus on. It has its own communities to serve. It should not be spending state resources staffing a multiweek Trump administration festival in Washington when that money could stay home.

Connecticut said no. Massachusetts said no. Maine said no. Rhode Island should join them.

We're calling on Governor Dan McKee to decline participation in Freedom 250's Great American State Fair and keep Rhode Island's resources focused on celebrating the 250th anniversary here at home.