Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum had to remind a crowd of freezing Christmas-goers to deliver “lots of cheering” for the president and first lady.

“You’ve got an important job to do,” Burgum explained as he prepared a crowd for the arrival of Donald and Melania Trump for the 103rd National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

The Thursday night event took place at the President’s Park, and was filmed for its later showing on MAGA-friendly channel Great American Family. Burgum took the stage an hour before the president to make sure everyone seemed suitably excited for the big event.

“I just came from backstage. The president and the first lady are arriving soon. Backstage, we have a tent filled with a group of national recording stars,” he said.

“The national television broadcast be

See Full Page