'Tanks, but no tanks': Angry DC City Council on Trump's July 4 celebration plan
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US President Donald Trump's promise of hosting military tanks, along with an incredible flyovers and the "biggest ever Fireworks," for this year's Fourth of July celebrations at the National Mall in Washington has evoked strong reactions.
Many government authorities and bodies are finding it difficult to calm the concerns raised after Trump's tweet.
"Big 4th of July in D.C. “Salute to America.” The Pentagon & our great Military Leaders are thrilled to be doing this & showing to the American people, among other things, the strongest and most advanced Military anywhere in the World. Incredible Flyovers & biggest ever Fireworks!" the US President said on Twitter.
But the District of Columbia's City Council says "Tanks, but no tanks" and complains that Trump is politicising what traditionally has been a non-partisan celebration.
The District of Columbia government previously had complained about damage that tanks would do to city streets and reissued its complaint on Monday after The Washington Post reported on Trump's plan to station military tanks in the city.
The Post, in its report said the Pentagon is still grappling with how to move 60-ton tanks to the National Mall, the area where Lincoln Memorial is situated. THe leading US daily quoted Pentagon spokesman Major Christian Mitchell as saying that the movement of the tanks will be carried out in a way to protect the streets in the district, but the exact location to place them is still under consideration.
Trump had wanted a military parade of tanks and other equipment in Washington after he watched a military parade on Bastille Day in Paris in 2017. That plan eventually was scuttled, partly because of cost, though Trump apparently held on to the idea. Local officials objected at that time, too.
Thursday's events are also expected to include military flyovers by the US Navy's Blue Angels, F-22 fighter jets and possibly other military aircraft.
The annual fireworks display will be held near the Lincoln Memorial instead of its usual location by the Washington Monument.
A ticket-only area in front of the memorial is being set aside for VIPs, including members of Trump's family, friends and members of the military, the White House said.
The Republican National Committee is distributing a "small number" of tickets to the event, which it says is standard practice and follows what the Democratic National Committee did under Democratic presidents.
Members of Congress, local officials and others have voiced concerns that Trump could alter the tone of what traditionally is a nonpartisan celebration of America's independence from the British by delivering a political speech.