The navy seal acquitted of murdering an isis fighter in iraq now facing a new sentence. We were certainly hoping for a different sentence. President trump celebrating the outcome. But the controversy in the case, far from over. Plus, quad goals as team usa heads to the finals well talk strategy with the star goalie. Sea change the Little Mermaid casting choice thats lighting up the internet and you go coco, cori gauffs winning Streak Continues and the teen sensation is headed to round three, today, thursday, july 4th, 2019. Announcer from nbc news, this is today with Savannah Guthrie and hoda kotb, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. Good morning, and welcome to today and thank you for joining us on this holiday morning, the 4th of july, im Sheinelle Jones alongside Kristen Welker filling in for savannah and hoda this morning, craig is off for the holiday we have a lot to get to. Its great to be with you. How about coco. I love that were calling her coco like were buddies, rooting for her, round three. Shes amazing she beat her icon Venus Williams there was a great moment when Roger Federer came over and greeted her, and she was wide eyed, 15 years old. Phenomenal. Lets get to your holiday weather with the heat and humidity expected to hit much of the country the next few days, making those packed airports and congested roadways feel that much worse for travelers if youll be watching the fireworks in our Nations Capital tonight the National Mall is expected to be hot and crowded. We have it all covered for you this morning, starting with a weather update from dylan whos in for al this morning. Hopefully youre done traveling and where you need to be now and we can focus on the 4th of july forecast for you if youre out of doors, most of the day looks warm and humid its perfect for that. We will have to deal with a stalled front that goes through the midwest and into the midatlantic thats along that frontal boundary we could see popup showers and storms later on this evening because those storms are occurring because of the daytime heating those storms should fizzle out lingering storms should be through the plains and upper midwest. Still popup in nature some towns will get hit and some wont. You need to keep an eye to the sky, watch for the dark clouds, listen for the thunder and keep in mind the storms could be strong as they move through. Same story for saturday. Our best chance will be up and down the east coast, in the middle of the country its hot and humid, although it will cool off a bit in the 70s and 80s out west, its hot and dry no problems out that way if youre traveling sunday, no problems whatsoever. Our best chance of summertime storms will be through the midatlantic and the appalachians and ohio river valley on sunday those will be trouble spots on the roads. If you get stuck in the heavier downpours we will see that slowing things down on the roadways airports, it will mostly be the east coast and southeast where wed see the trouble areas sheinelle . Thank you, dylan. More on the holiday weather ahead. First, lets turn to the Holiday Travel millions of americans hitting the roads, crowding the roads and buses and trains and a major accident left new yorkers stranded good morning, kristen, happy 4th. Hey, happy 4th to you yeah, this is going to be one of the best places to watch the fireworks. The problem is getting to places like this, to your beach and barbecue, proving tough this year travel is at an all time high and as we learned here in new york an accident can throw a serious wrench in those holiday plans. Before the oohs and aahs this fourth of july, travel is leading to groans across the country. An overturned truck, shutting down major roadways in and out of manhattan leading to four hour delays. New Yorks Port Authority stopping bus service for hours as a result. Hundreds of people left waiting outside in the heat, eager to get their long weekend started. I hope i can get there because im looking forward to the barbecue. Others crowding trains and ferries to get out of the city. No information, totally ridiculous. Reporter but the Holiday Travel headache is far from over more americans than ever are expected to travel this long Holiday Weekend. About 41 Million People are hitting the roads. Aaa predicting places like seattle and houston will see the worst traffic delays today about three times more than normal other cities like boston, chicago and atlanta are expected to see major backups on friday those taking to the skies should also be prepared sunday is expected to be the busiest day of the Holiday Weekend at the airport. And seeing all of that mess, guys, i think im going to stay right here, the fireworks, the macys fireworks going off from the Brooklyn Bridge tonight, thats the first time theyve been down here since 2014. Preps have been under way for months its going to be a spectacular show here. Really exciting all right, kristen dahlgren, thank you. Growing concerns about the costs of President Trumps plan, nbcs White House CorrespondentKelly Odonnell is on the National Mall with the details kelly, good morning. Reporter good morning, sheinelle. Officials say the president loves his patriotism, and they put it this way. They say he wont apologize for that despite the criticism mr. Trump is putting himself right in the middle of a revered National Holiday where president s usually dont take center stage or have a speaking role. Ready to celebrate red, white, and this year, green. Tanks in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial, American Military might on display at the commander in chiefs request. Were going to have planes going overhead, the best fighter jets in the world. Reporter each military Service Branch is taking part, showing off the big hardware and reportedly including a 21 gun salute and flyover from air force one. The stage is set for President Trump to deliver a speech tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States reporter the first president to address an Independence Day crowd on the mall in more than 60 years his vision for the holiday, setting off some fireworks. I think its fantastic. When was the last time we did Something Like this . I think that now hes doing this its kind of ruined it a little bit. Republican donors and vips will get special access to the event with an allotment of tickets given to the Republican National committee while several protests are planned less than a mile from the stage. Critics accuse the president of injecting politics into a traditionally nonpartisan event. A Campaign Rally at taxpayer expense, some say. Washington, d. C. s mayor wants her city reimbursed. If there are demonstrations and protests that sprout up around these activities those are Additional Police costs as well. Reporter the Washington Post reports 2. 5 million was diverted from National Park service fees. The president tweeted the cost will be very little compared to what it is worth. Theres probably more good use to that money versus 4th of July Celebrations. But, you know, today is americas birthday. Reporter two reelection officials tell me there wont be any staffers here shooting video or taking pictures to be used in campaign ads down the line. And if there are any Campaign Staffers present they will be using those tickets we talked about but theyll only be spectators. Sheinelle, kristen . Thank you, kelly. Meantime the Justice Department seems to be reversing its position on including Citizenship Question, a question about that in the census, after a tweet from the president. What can you tell us about that . Reporter well, that tweet, sheinelle, reversed the administrations course, the president defying his own departments of justice and commerce who said this week they would go forward printing the census forms without the controversial Citizenship Question. A federal judge saw that tweet and demanded answers from government lawyers who said they couldnt explain what the president meant but were ordered by President Trump to try to find a legal way to add that question, despite the logistical and legal hurdles ahead. The judge wants an answer tomorrow. Kristen, sheinelle . Thank you. Meantime at the southern border outrage is growing over conditions in migrant detention facilities. This morning the head of Homeland Security is launching an investigation into what he calls disturbing social media posts allegedly made by Border Patrol agents. Gabe gutierrez is in el paso with the latest as President Trump weighs in as well. Gabe, good morning. Reporter kristen, good morning. President trump has a blunt message for migrants. If you dont like conditions here on this side of the border dont come. But now doctors here are warning of the deep psychological toll this crisis is taking on children. This morning these drawings are painting a heartbreaking picture. The American Academy of pediatrics says they came from 10 and 11yearold kids after they were released from the custody of customs and Border Protection in texas. What do these pictures tell you . Its horrible. I can guarantee you within the next few years the psychological effect that it will take on these children is you cant even explain. Reporter dr. Carlos gutierrez is a pediatrician who volunteered to treat children after their release from custody. You dont believe that children should be in Detention Centers at all. Absolutely not. Reporter President Trump tweeting our Border Patrol people are not hospital workers, doctors or nurses and migrants are living far better now than where they came from. If theyre unhappy with the conditions, just tell them not to come. With evidence of crowded conditions and a lack of necessities like food, water and clothing in some locations my goal today is to just sell some misinformation reporter bet posted this video showing a Processing Center in arizona stocked with supplies. We have diapers, baby wipes, clothing for children, marked by gender, age, clothing for men and women. Reporter meanwhile acting Homeland Security secretary Kevin Maclean an is launching an investigation after a report highlighted disturbing and inexcusable social media activity that allegedly includes active Border Patrol personnel. According to propublica the private Facebook Group included crude and sexist jokes that mocked migrants. We dont know all those people that mocked them are agents or officers but we certainly dont condone that. Thats not the way we act. Ill take that to donald trump any day. Reporter democratic president ial candidate cory booker visiting with Asylum Seekers in juarez, mexico where thousands of migrants are waiting for the process. Things that are hurting our country, insulting dignity and human values. Gabe, what are Border Patrol agents themselves saying about all this . Are we hearing from them . Reporter yeah, kristen, the head of the union here in el paso says morale among his members is very low, theyre overworked and overwhelmed. He and dhs officials are urging congress to set aside more money for the border. Kristen . Gabe gutierrez, thank you for that. Today is no holiday for the democratic president ial hopefuls on the campaign trail. Six of the candidates are in iowa today, including front runner joe biden as well as senator Kamala Harris now gaining steam in the polls. Garrett haake is in storm lake, iowa following the candidates this morning. Reporter good morning. The Democratic Front runners have spent comparatively little time in iowa so far. Thats about to change with a full slate of rallies, house parties and parades today. Day. The Democratic Candidates are taking the Hawkeye State by storm. I know predators and we have a predator living in the white house. Reporter with top tier democrats taking aim at President Trump. Theres one thing i cant stand, and i suspect all of you because i know iowa pretty well is the abuse of power. This guy has no respect for the rule of law. I cant stand it. Reporter seven months before the first votes are cast in iowa many of the contenders are crisscrossing the state today joining in the july 4th celebration including joe biden, Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg and there are signs the race here is far from settled. A new usa today poll finds six of ten who picked a candidate say they may change their minds before the caucus. Theres a shakeup in the race, Kamala Harris leaping towards the top of the pack with joe biden slipping but still in the lead 2015 runner up Bernie Sanders is rallying supporters in iowa city urging americans to get more politically engaged. Stop complaining, get involved. I dont want a government that works for giant multinational corporations i want one that works for our families. Reporter senator Elizabeth Warren and south bend mayor Pete Buttigieg rounding out the top tier. I believe in this country and were way bigger than our president is making us look at a time like this. Reporter as the campaign settles into the Summer Season harriss debate stage challenge to bidens civil rights record remains the moment reverberating most for democratic voters. It was hurtful to hear you talk about the reputation of two United States senators who built their reputation and career on the segregation of race in this country. Were getting new fund raising numbers from the 2020 democratic field who has the most support reporter we havent seen the totals from all the candidates yet but right now its mayor pete in front with 25 million raised in the second quarter, joe biden coming in second place in that total with about 21. 5 million. Hes been in the race nearly a month less the fund raising numbers show us a lot about how the candidates are gaining support beyond what we see in the polls. I asked mayor pete yesterday how hes going to spend all this money. He said a lot of it will go to hiring staff, including right here in iowa. Race is heating up. Thats for sure. We want to turn now to one of our favorite stories, to wimbledon where 15yearold cori gauff just keeps on winning, after upsetting her idol fivetime champion Venus Williams in the first round. She bested her second round opponent in similar fashion. Blaine alexander has been watching the Young Americans meteoric rise. Reporter kristen, good morning. You, me, everybody, were all rooting for coco, the buzz here at wimbledon has turned into a full on roar after the 15yearolds victory yesterday. She proved her victory against Venus Williams was no fluke and now the teenager says shes not finished yet it may be even sweeter the Second Time Around 15yearold coco gauff doing it again, serving up another straight set victory, this time against slovenias mag da lena its on to round three. The last three days have definitely just been kind of surprising, last week around this time didnt know i was it just shows you have to be ready for everything. Reporter shes proving she is more than ready. The newest star shines a little brighter. Reporter now the talk of wimbledon and gaining a flock of new fans, especially that home in florida. I think its amazing, like shes the future of american tennis. I think everyones got coco fever. If youre wondering how she gets ready social media relaxes me just watch youtube videos before my match and it gets me in a laughing spirit, or whatever reporter and its working. Its been quite the week for the youngest player to ever qualify for wimbledon, upsetting fivetime champ Venus Williams, a player she grew up idolizing and then some words of wisdom from another giant of the sport, Roger Federer. Got that on camera. Reporter she may be star struck on the sidelines but when its time to hit the court. I think i can beat anyone whos