Fireworks on the Fourth of July on the National Mall/NPS file

President Trump is getting his military parade after all, with the National Mall as a backdrop, in a Fourth of July spectacular some fear will be just another political rally for the president running for re-election.

The event, the Salute to America, will honor each of the nation’s five service branches with music, military demonstrations, flyovers and much more. Participants include the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, the U.S. Army Band (“Pershing’s Own”), the Armed Forces Chorus, the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Team, and many others, the Interior Department announced Wednesday.

“There is no more appropriate place to celebrate the anniversary of American independence than among the Nation’s monuments on the National Mall and the memorials to the service men and women who have defended the United States for the past 243 years,” said Interior Secretary David Bernhardt. “For the first time in many years, the World War II Memorial and areas around the Reflecting Pool will be open for the public to enjoy a stunning fireworks display and an address by our Commander-in-Chief. We are excited to open these new areas so that more visitors may experience this year’s Independence Day celebration in our nation’s capital.”

President Trump will lead the celebration from the Lincoln Memorial between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The president in the past has called for a grand military parade in line with one in saw in France.

Some Democrats in the Senate voiced concern that the event would turn into a political rally for the president, and wrote Secretary Bernhardt with questions regarding how much the celebration would cost and who would pick up the bill.

"We are deeply troubled that the president's involvement at the event will turn the long-standing, nonpartisan celebration into a de facto campaign rally conducted at taxpayer expense that will serve to further divide rather than unify the nation," wrote Sens. Tom Udall of New Mexico, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, all members of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "We are also concerned that the decision to expand the event to include a potential Presidential address will require the National Park Service to divert resources from other priorities of the Mall or other national park system units at a time when it is facing significant budgetary pressures to address its $12 billion deferred maintenance backlog and accommodate record-setting visitation."

The senators also noted that taxpayer dollars can't be used on political events.

"... Sections 716 and 718 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act (P.L. 116-6) which preclude the use of taxpayer funds by Federal agencies and contractors for publicity or propaganda purposes," they pointed out. "The U.S. Government Accountability Office notes that these provisions specifically prohibit the use of appropriations for: (1) covert propaganda: (2) purely partisan activities; and (3) self-aggrandizing activities.”

Beyond politics, Secretary Bernhardt announced that this year the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, the World War II Memorial, and Constitution Gardens will each be accessible and available as a location from which to view the fireworks. These prime viewing areas are now outside of the fireworks safety zone due to the fireworks launch site being moved from the Reflecting Pool to West Potomac Park. The change of locations also means that the Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial will be accessible to the public on Independence Day. In previous years it had been closed due to the old fireworks safety zone.

The National Mall is home to more than a dozen memorials that commemorate great Americans and significant events in our nation’s history and hosts one of the nation’s largest Fourth of July celebrations. In addition to Salute to America, this year’s events include the National Independence Day Parade; A Capitol Fourth, the annual star-studded concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol; and a spectacular fireworks display.

Schedule of Events

• National Independence Day Parade – Constitution Avenue NW from 7th Street to 17th Street NW
  11:45 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
  Marching bands, fife and drum corps, floats, military units, giant balloons, equestrian, drill teams and more celebrate Independence Day in this patriotic, flag-waving, red, white and blue celebration of America's birthday! https://july4thparade.com/
  
  
• Salute to America – Lincoln Memorial 
  6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. 
  President Trump leads a celebration of America’s military with music, military demonstrations and flyovers. Gates open at 3:30 p.m.
  
  
• A Capitol Fourth Concert – West Lawn the U.S. Capitol 
  8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. 
  Co-sponsored by the National Park Service and the National Symphony Orchestra, A Capital Fourth honors our nation’s 243rd birthday with an all-star salute of the best in American entertainment. Gates open at 3 p.m. www.pbs.org/capitolfourth
  
  
• Fireworks Display 
  9:07 p.m. – 9:27 p.m. 
  Independence Day culminates with a spectacular fireworks display over the National Mall. The fireworks will be launched from West Potomac Park and behind the Lincoln Memorial. They will be visible from locations throughout D.C. and Northern Virginia.

Additional details about the day’s events, including security restrictions, public access points, road closures and prohibited items, will be announced in late June. Complete information and updates on the Independence Day celebration will be posted to www.nps.gov/foju.