Biden to hold July 4 celebration he hoped would mark 'independence' from COVID

President Joe Biden plans to host a White House July Fourth celebration despite the U.S. not on track to meet his goal to have 70% of adults vaccinated by then.

"America is back," says President Joe Biden, and so are July Fourth traditions in the nation's capital. Though the country isn't on track to meet Biden's goal of having 70% of American adults vaccinated with at least one dose by July Fourth, the White House is eager to tout what it views as success reining in COVID-19 with an Independence Day celebration intended, Biden said in March, to highlight America's "independence" from the virus. The celebrations come as the nation's top health experts also warn that a new variant of the virus could take hold in parts of the country with low vaccination rates. Biden plans to host first responders, essential workers, and military service members and their families on the South Lawn on Independence Day, a White House official confirmed to ABC News on Tuesday. More than 1,000 guests are expected, though final details are still being sorted out.