The Pentagon has referred virtually all questions about the celebration and the USA military's involvement to the White House - a function, officials said, of the president's desire to have some elements of surprise in the event.
Earlier in his administration, Trump had announced his intent to hold a military parade on Veterans Day in Washington, DC, however he canceled those plans following estimates that put the cost of such a parade at tens of millions of dollars.
"I'm going to say a few words and we're going to have planes going overhead, the best fighter jets in the world and other planes too".
Democratic presidential hopeful Marianne Williamson likened Mr Trump's 4 July celebration to military parades in the Soviet Union, calling his event "repugnant".
Photographers have snapped images of two M1A1 Abrams tanks on a freight train in a railyard near Washington.
Unlike those events, the "Salute to America" will occur on the National Mall rather than the White House, which is where presidents have celebrated July 4 in the past. Air traffic at nearby Ronald Reagan National Airport will be suspended during the flyovers and the fireworks, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
That is almost triple the typical 300-person activation for July Fourth activities in Washington because a larger security footprint is needed, the official said.
"We have said it before, and we'll say it again: Tanks, but no tanks".
Amanda Yanchury, a spokeswoman for Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), said in an email that McCollum "takes her oversight responsibilities seriously and will exercise her role as chair to get a full accounting of the taxpayer costs incurred by this event". So are members of the military - which is who Trump is aiming to celebrate with the event.
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The event could also feature M1 Abrams battle tanks, a B-2 bomber, F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, and the Marine One helicopter that transports the president, the Pentagon said.
"You've got to be pretty careful with the tanks because the roads have a tendency not to like to carry heavy tanks", he said.
Local officials had also objected because of the damage the heavy armoured tanks could do to city streets.
A Pentagon memo said the parade will "include wheeled vehicles only, no tanks", adding that "consideration must be given to minimize damage to local infrastructure". The U.S. traditionally has not embraced showy exhibitions of raw military power as a claim of global prestige and influence. This concern has been heightened during Trump's administration by his repeated focus on showcasing the military as the main symbol of United States power and influence in the world.
President Donald Trump will include a flight demonstration by the US Navy Blue Angels. Typically, the District's fireworks display on the National Mall is open to the public, with thousands flocking to the nation's capitol for the show and concert from 8 p.m.to 9:30 p.m.
Asked Monday about his plans, Trump said tanks will be stationed outside but provided no other details.
He said there will be "brand new" Sherman and Abrams tanks.
"Most shameful of all is the fact that our military is being co-opted for a gratuitous display of strength by a commander in chief who relishes the attention of dictators and despots", she said.
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