White House announces plans for July 4th celebration

President Donald Trump is moving ahe with a lower-key “Salute to America" celebration this year on July Fourth, despite concerns from some lawmakers about crowds event could generate during coronavirus pandemic.

Washington has held an Independence Day celebration for deces, featuring a pare along Constitution Avenue, a concert on Capitol lawn with music by National Symphony Orchestra and fireworks beginning at dusk near Washington Monument.

Trump altered lineup last year by ding his speech, moving fireworks closer to Lincoln Memorial and summoning an array of tanks and warplanes to entertain crowds.

White House said that president and first ly Melania Trump will host event this year from White House's South Lawn and Ellipse. It said president will deliver remarks and that ceremony will include music, military demonstrations and flyovers. Last year, Trump spoke near steps of Lincoln Memorial.

“As President Trump has said, re will be an Independence Day celebration this year and it will have a different look than 2019 to ensure health and safety of those attending," said White House spokesman Judd Deere. “ American people have shown tremendous cour and spirit in fight against this global pandemic just as our forefars did in fight to secure our independence, and both deserve celebration on America’s birthday this year."

Democratic lawmakers from Washington region have stated ir strong opposition to an event like last year's.

“Given current COVID-19 crisis, we believe such an event would needlessly risk health and safety of thousands of Americans. Furr, this event would come at cost of millions of taxpayer dollars while we are facing an unprecedented ecomic downturn due to pandemic," lawmakers said in a May 26 letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.

One of lawmakers who signed letter, Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., said after Friday's anuncement from White House that president should be capable of celebrating Independence Day responsibly.

“Inste he is using military to st yet ar costly political photo op,” Beyer asserted.

crowds on National Mall are expected to be smaller, in part because one of biggest draws of day, annual pare, has been cancelled. pare is co-hosted by National Park Service and a website for event said local leership projected that COVID-19 infection levels will t be abated to degree that it would be safe or prudent to conduct pare.

annual fireworks show will go on.