July 4 celebrations turn political, with a question: Who will pay for Trump's plan?

The fireworks on July 4 won't just be for the Independence Day celebrations in the United States, they will also be political.

As US President Donald Trump promises military tanks, incredible flyovers and the biggest ever fireworks for this year's celebrations in Washington, the Democrats are seething. Not everyone is on board, including the military.

The City Council of District of Columbia (DC), where these celebrations will take place, complained that Trump was politicising a traditionally non-partisan celebration.

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The White House has tried to calm those concerns.

"Thematically, how wonderful this country is. Our troops and military are great democracy. And... great call to patriotism. The success of this administration in opening up so many jobs for individuals, what we've done for veterans. There's no final form yet. But, America will hear the whole speech. They're not going to really wait for people to take one little clause out of it," White House senior advisor Kellyanne Conway said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

But true to his character, Trump blamed the Democrats.

"I think I have reached most Americans. Most Americans want no crime. Most Americans want a strong military. They want good education. They want good healthcare. If you look at pre-existing conditions, the Republicans are going to save pre-existing conditions that Democrats won't be able to do," he told reporters earlier this week.

But it's not just the poll pitch that has people worried, there are also unanswered questions about costs associated with the military involvement in the celebration.

"Part of the problem is we have no idea what the costs are. We do know this - that the inauguration costs us more than seven million dollars and we haven't been paid for that yet. And we do know that our police and security officials from the District of Columbia are absolutely necessary to pull off anything in this city. And so we are already owed. Given no estimate as to what this has been being, being - is going to cost us," said Rep Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of Columbia.

Earlier, DC authorities complained about the damage that tanks would cause to city streets and re-issued its complaint after the Washington Post reported Trump's plan to station military tanks in the city.

Under White House direction, the Pentagon is scrambling to arrange for an Air Force B-2 stealth bomber and other warplanes to conduct flyovers.

Also deployed will be the US Navy's F-35 and F-18 fighter jets, the navy blue Angels aerial acrobatics team, army and Coast Guard helicopters and Marine V-22 Ospreys.

Trump tweeted saying the military was thrilled by the extravagant event, but it seems the Pentagon has been mum on the issue - there is no official confirmation that General Joseph Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, even plans to attend.

The military appreciates national recognition, but doesn't want to be seen as a political prop. But in campaign year, Trump certainly thinks otherwise.