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Patrick Semansky/AP/Shutterstock

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03of 21Tanks at the Lincoln MemorialA pair of armored Bradley Fighting Vehicles on display in front of the Lincoln Memorial for Independence Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. on July 4, 2019.ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockA pair of armored Bradley Fighting Vehicles are on display in front of the Lincoln Memorial for Independence Day celebrations on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The president is set to address the crowd on Thursday night at the memorial, with fireworks a few hours later.Though Trump’s speech is free, it reportedly includes a VIP section for select guests and conservative politicos — which critics say injections partisanhip into the holiday.The president’s use of military vehicles is also not without controversy.“Put troops out there so we can thank them — leave tanks for Red Square,” one retired generaltoldThe New York Times, raising the argument that parading military might through a city is essentially authoritarian.Trump’s eventreportedly led tonotable closures of the airspace around D.C. and increased security in the city. Its cost was unclear.
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Tanks at the Lincoln Memorial
A pair of armored Bradley Fighting Vehicles on display in front of the Lincoln Memorial for Independence Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. on July 4, 2019.ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

A pair of armored Bradley Fighting Vehicles are on display in front of the Lincoln Memorial for Independence Day celebrations on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The president is set to address the crowd on Thursday night at the memorial, with fireworks a few hours later.
Though Trump’s speech is free, it reportedly includes a VIP section for select guests and conservative politicos — which critics say injections partisanhip into the holiday.
The president’s use of military vehicles is also not without controversy.
“Put troops out there so we can thank them — leave tanks for Red Square,” one retired generaltoldThe New York Times, raising the argument that parading military might through a city is essentially authoritarian.
Trump’s eventreportedly led tonotable closures of the airspace around D.C. and increased security in the city. Its cost was unclear.
04of 21Supporters GatherPatrick Semansky/AP/ShutterstockA supporter of President Trump makes her way through a security checkpoint before Independence Day celebrations on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.It’s unclear how many people will go the president’s Thursday night celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, though crowd sizes remain very important to him.The threat of rain in the area may also supress attendance.
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Supporters Gather

A supporter of President Trump makes her way through a security checkpoint before Independence Day celebrations on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
It’s unclear how many people will go the president’s Thursday night celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, though crowd sizes remain very important to him.
The threat of rain in the area may also supress attendance.
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Protestors Gather, Too

06of 21But Before All of That …… There was the annual parade earlier Thursday along the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
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But Before All of That …

… There was the annual parade earlier Thursday along the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
07of 21The Parade Passes BySAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyPeople watch the parade for the Fourth of July as it passes in front of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
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The Parade Passes By
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty

People watch the parade for the Fourth of July as it passes in front of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
08of 21’Tanks but No Tanks’Mark Wilson/GettyCode Pink activist Medea Benjamin speaks during a news conference at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday to protest President Trump and the tanks that were brought in for his “Salute to America” ceremony.D.C.’s legislature hada similar complaint.
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‘Tanks but No Tanks’
Mark Wilson/Getty

Code Pink activist Medea Benjamin speaks during a news conference at the Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday to protest President Trump and the tanks that were brought in for his “Salute to America” ceremony.
D.C.’s legislature hada similar complaint.
09of 21Trump on the ToiletProtesters unveil a statue of President Donald Trump tweeting on a toilet during a protest on the national all in Washington D.C. on July 4, 2019.ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/GettyProtesters unveil a statue of the president tweeting on a toilet at the National Mall ahead of the Thursday night “Salute to America” at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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Trump on the Toilet
Protesters unveil a statue of President Donald Trump tweeting on a toilet during a protest on the national all in Washington D.C. on July 4, 2019.ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty

Protesters unveil a statue of the president tweeting on a toilet at the National Mall ahead of the Thursday night “Salute to America” at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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The Crowds
ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty

11of 21The Founding FathersShutterstockRe-enactors of the founding fathers read the Declaration of Independence outside the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
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The Founding Fathers
Shutterstock

Re-enactors of the founding fathers read the Declaration of Independence outside the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
12of 21Pointed MessagesAmong the merchandise along the parade route in Washington, D.C., was this T-shirt. Some anti-Trump veterans were also set to hand out shirts in support of the late Sen. John McCain, a Trump foe.
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Pointed Messages

Among the merchandise along the parade route in Washington, D.C., was this T-shirt. Some anti-Trump veterans were also set to hand out shirts in support of the late Sen. John McCain, a Trump foe.
13of 21In FormationERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockA Marine Corps unit participates in in the Fourth of July parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
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In Formation
ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

A Marine Corps unit participates in in the Fourth of July parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
14of 21The Star-Spangled BannerERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockA patriotic boy watches the Fourth of July parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
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The Star-Spangled Banner

A patriotic boy watches the Fourth of July parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
15of 21Parade PerformersERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockA jump rope team participates in the Fourth of July parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
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Parade Performers

A jump rope team participates in the Fourth of July parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
16of 21An Old-Timey TuneUS Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps participate in “America’s Independence Day Parade” as part of the “Salute to America”.ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockThe Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps participates in the Fourth of July parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
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An Old-Timey Tune
US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps participate in “America’s Independence Day Parade” as part of the “Salute to America”.ERIK S LESSER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps participates in the Fourth of July parade along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.
17of 21The Armed ServicesSAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyMembers of the U.S. military participate in the Fourth of July parade in Washington, D.C.
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The Armed Services

Members of the U.S. military participate in the Fourth of July parade in Washington, D.C.
18of 21Honest AbeSAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyAn Abraham Lincoln impersonator participates in the Fourth of July parade in Washington, D.C.
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Honest Abe

An Abraham Lincoln impersonator participates in the Fourth of July parade in Washington, D.C.
19of 21Showing Support for the PresidentStephanie Keith/GettySporting signs with the president’s signature slogan, people gather to watch the Fourth of July festivities around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
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Showing Support for the President
Stephanie Keith/Getty

Sporting signs with the president’s signature slogan, people gather to watch the Fourth of July festivities around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
20of 21Face-to-FaceAnti- and pro-Trump groups argue on the National Mall ahead of his “Salute to America” celebration Thursday night at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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Face-to-Face

Anti- and pro-Trump groups argue on the National Mall ahead of his “Salute to America” celebration Thursday night at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
21of 21The DivideANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/GettyAnti- and pro-Trump groups argue on the National Mall ahead of his “Salute to America” celebration Thursday night at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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The Divide

source: people.com