Tanks, Flyovers And Heightened Security: Trump's Fourth Of July Ups Taxpayer Cost
Updated at 2:25 p.m. ET
American taxpayers are looking at a bigger bill for this year's Independence Day party in the nation's capital.
For this Fourth of July, President Trump has added an address from the Lincoln Memorial, tanks stationed in the area, an extended fireworks display and military aircraft flyovers.
Democrats in Congress are complaining about the added expenses.
"There's going to be a big price tag for this and the taxpayers will have to pick up the tab," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which directs spending for such events.
The annual July 4 parade will still happen that morning, followed by a new 6:30 p.m. Trump address from the Lincoln Memorial with military flyovers and performances by the Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and others. That evening, the Capitol Fourth concert, also a trademark of the usual D.C. holiday, will be followed by an extended fireworks show lasting 35 to 40 minutes.
Van Hollen and other Democratic appropriators on Capitol Hill have raised questions and concerns for months that spending for the
