Harrisburg, PA - Taking center stage during America's 250th anniversary celebrations, Governor Josh Shapiro is calling on Pennsylvanians to carry on the work of the founding fathers to preserve our republic, tell the full story of our history, and stand up for our values in the face of threats to democracy, as the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Thursday.

As we approach Independence Day, the Governor has remained focused on bringing people together to celebrate America in the birthplace of our democracy while reclaiming patriotism from those who have distorted its meaning.

"When Shapiro delivers his messages of unity and freedom to a broader audience in the coming days… 'It's what he should be doing right now, because this is what America is about,'" Alison Dagnes, a political-science professor at Shippensburg University, told the Inquirer.

Governor Shapiro joined Morning Joe on Wednesday to highlight the responsibilities our Founders left behind to protect our fundamental freedoms and "stand up to the petty tyrants in the way."

"There's no question that people are hurting because of the chaos, the cruelty, the corruption of Donald Trump that is infecting everything, that is impacting lives, is hurting real people in my state and across the country in many ways. Our story in America has been our ability to overcome adversity. This isn't the first time our nation has faced adversity, but what we have done in every chapter of our American story is - despite the challenges - we've ended that chapter on a more hopeful note, with more freedom, more opportunity, more justice, more equity.

"I know it doesn't feel that way right now, but we are in the midst of writing that chapter, and it will be up to the American people - fewer people with titles next to their name - more ordinary Americans doing what Franklin said to that woman outside Independence Hall that Meacham referenced, defending our republic, keeping our republic. The work falls to all of us."

Read this new reporting here and see key excerpts below:

The Philadelphia Inquirer: As Congress comes to Philadelphia, Josh Shapiro takes center stage in America 250 celebrations

"The founders made clear that we have a real responsibility to do the work to constantly perfect our union," Shapiro said in an interview this week, ahead of his speech before the ceremonial meeting of Congress, marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed in that same building. "And that the Congress of the United States has a unique responsibility in that to be a check on the executive branch."

Those words come at a critical inflection point in America's history. [...]

"I don't think patriotism belongs to one party. I don't think it should ever be partisan," Shapiro said. "Unfortunately, Donald Trump routinely divides us, routinely injects partisanship into his definition of patriotism, and his actions, in many ways, are the opposite of patriotism."

As Trump plans to spend America's 250th birthday hosting a political rally on the National Mall- with no plans to visit Philadelphia, the city where the nation was founded - Shapiro sees his own role as a unifier, and in direct contrast to Trump. [...]

"If Madison were here today, he'd be really concerned about how one man has accumulated so much power and is wielding it in really dangerous ways, and I hope that at this 250-year mark we find our way back to that balance and back to the constraints on the people who lead our government," he said.

Shapiro sees his leadership style as a "direct contrast" to Trump's, especially at this moment.

"[Trump] restricts peoples' freedom and liberties," the governor added. "He whitewashes our history. That doesn't further a sense of community, that doesn't further patriotism. All that does is divide us, and I refuse to participate in that."

But for the next few days, Shapiro said his approach to the 250th celebrations is to: "Celebrate America, find ways to bring people together, and to have some fun in the process."