President Trump defended his decision to give a speech on patriotism alongside a display of military strength during Thursday's Fourth of July celebrations, a move that drew criticism as unnecessarily provocative and expensive. In a pair of tweets, he said he was preparing a "Salute to America."

"People are coming from far and wide to join us today and tonight for what is turning out to be one of the biggest celebrations in the history of our Country, SALUTE TO AMERICA, an all day event at the Lincoln Memorial, culminating with large scale flyovers of the most modern and advanced aircraft anywhere in the World. Perhaps even Air Force One will do a low & loud sprint over the crowd," Trump said.

People are coming from far and wide to join us today and tonight for what is turning out to be one of the biggest celebrations in the history of our Country, SALUTE TO AMERICA, an all day event at the Lincoln Memorial, culminating with large scale flyovers of the most modern..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2019

He wrote that the big event will start at 6:00 p.m. EDT and culminate in a big fireworks display three hours later. Before that, he will "speak on behalf of our great Country!" in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Democrats have slammed the announcement. "This is what authoritarians do: @realDonaldTrump is taking $2.5 million away from our National Park Service to glorify himself with a spectacle of military tanks rolling through Washington,” Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, a top 2020 Democratic presidential contender, tweeted.