Editor's Note: The Trump administration has released plans for their July 4 celebrations in Washington, D.C. Go here for details.
---
President Donald Trump promised huge crowds for his July 4 celebration in Washington, D.C., but he offered few details on the big changes for the capital's Independence Day.
Amid confusion from local officials over what this year's celebration in the nation's capital will look like, Trump invited people to bring their American flags and join huge crowds for Independence Day.
"We're going to have hundreds of thousands of people, we're going to celebrate America," he told crowds during his reelection bid announcement in Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday.
He encouraged the cheering spectators to head to D.C. for something big.
"On July 4th, in Washington, D.C., come on down, we're going to have a big day. Bring your flags, bring those flags. Bring those American flags," he said.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
Some details are emerging on what the celebration could entail, and all signs point to a larger celebration. The Washington Post reports that Trump is planning a military flyover of Air Force One in D.C.'s highly restricted airspace. The president would not be on board, according to the report.
The Post previously reported that Trump has been personally involved in planning a patriotic bash that takes inspiration from France's Bastille Day celebrations. Trump reportedly has requested stages of entertainment for his event called "A Salute to America."
Aside from the decision to move fireworks away from the Lincoln Memorial, few details have been confirmed by the White House or NPS to the public, city officials or some others in government.
On Tuesday, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall and Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy signed onto a letter pushing the U.S. Department of the Interior to release specific information.
"We are deeply troubled that the President's involvement at the event will turn the longstanding, non-partisan celebration into a de facto campaign rally conducted at the taxpayer expense that will serve to further divide rather than unify the nation," the letter, which was posted on Sen. Udall's Twitter page, read.
The Senators listed fourteen questions about the basics, including the nature of the events, whether it will be ticketed, how much it would cost and who would pay.
The White House and the National Park Service have provided few details on changes to the capital's celebration, which for more than a decade has been largely the same. Traditions include parades, a fireworks display and a concert on the Capitol lawn.
Trump said in February that his event would be called "A Salute to America" and include "an address by your favorite president, me!"
The National Park Service confirmed that D.C.'s fireworks would be moved away from the Lincoln Memorial to West Potomac Park. Both those areas, plus many other parts of the National Mall and Tidal Basin, have been reserved by NPS for events that day, a spokesperson confirmed.
Here's what we do know about A Capitol Fourth and where to see fireworks around the nation's capital for Independence Day.
