Donald Trump said Monday he will have tanks in his ‘Salute to America’ Fourth of July celebration taking place later this week on the National Mall.
He said his celebration would feature Sherman tanks – last used in World War II – and Abrams tanks, which are the main American battle tanks.
‘We’re gonna have a great Fourth of July in Washington DC.,’ the president told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.
‘We’re gonna have some tanks stationed outside. You’ve got to be pretty careful with the tanks because the roads have a tendency not to like to carry heavy tanks. So we have to put them in certain areas but we have the brand new Sherman tanks and we have the brand new Abram tanks,’ he said.
President Donald Trump said he will have tanks in his ‘Salute to America’ Fourth of July celebration taking place on the National Mall later this week
Trump wants tanks like the upgrade M1 Abrams as part of his Fourth of July celebration
On Monday, Trump bragged about the tanks being built in Ohio; he’s seen here visiting the factory with then-acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan in March
The president then referred to the upgraded M1 Abrams battle tanks, which are being produced in a Lima, Ohio, factory that he visited in March. It is the only tank factory in the United States.
‘We’re making a lot of new tanks right now. we’re building a lot of new tanks in Lima, Ohio – our great tank factory that people wanted to close down until I got elected and I stopped it from being closed down, and now it’s a very productive facility and they do the greatest tank in the world,’ he said.
Ohio is a critical state for the president to win in his 2020 re-election bid.
But his current focus is on the Fourth of July and officials are still dealing with his request for tanks.
President Trump didn’t detail how the heavily armored vehicles would be a part of the celebrations.
But Trump wants to see tanks or other armored military vehicles on the National Mall for his address to the nation, The Washington Post reported, leaving officials scratching their heads at how to fulfill the request.
The vehicles can weigh 60 tons or more and some of them – like Abrams tanks – have treads that can seriously damage the ground, which Trump conceded to Monday in the Oval Office but emphasized the vehicles would be a part of the festivities.
President Trump has long wanted tanks as part of his Fourth of July celebration
Trump originally got the idea for tanks when he and the first lady observed a Bastille Day military parade in France in 2017
The president is personally involved in planning the Fourth of July; last year’s fireworks are seen around the Washington Monument
The president has wanted a military-style parade with tanks since he saw the French version on their Bastille Day celebration during his 2017 visit to France.
The Pentagon is weighing having static displays of the vehicles in order to please the president, the newspaper reported.
It’s just one of the many logistical details still in need of straightening out – including how to move thousands of people through magnetometers on the popular holiday celebration on Washington D.C.’s National Mall.
Trump is essentially producing the holiday show himself, having extensive briefings on the subject and weighing in on all aspects – from where the fireworks should be launched to how the military will be honored.
The cost to taxpayers has yet to be determined: while two firework companies have donated the $750,000 show, employees of the National Park Service will have to clean up the mall the next day not to mention all the security officials working during the fireworks performance and the president’s address.
The president has added extra touches to this year’s event.
The fireworks display will be twice as long as those in the past and include new elements – such as a massive American flag and the words ‘U.S.A.’ spelled out in the sky.
The fireworks display will run from 9:07 p.m. to 9:42 p.m.
The president has also moved the fireworks launch site from alongside the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool to a barge in the Potomac.
There will also be a flyover from Air Force One, the Blue Angels – the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron – and other military planes.
Protesters will be out on the Fourth of July; Code Pink has a permit to bring the Baby Trump blimp, as seen her in Orlando in June
The Blue Angels – the U.S. Navy’s demonstration squad – will fly over the National Mall
One of the planes that uses the Air Force One call sign will fly by over the National Mall
A U.S. Abrams M1A2 main battle tank, like the one Trump wants to use on the Fourth of July, has treads that damage the ground. Trump saw the tanks in March at the Army Tank Plant in Lima, Ohio
Fourth of July is one of the most popular holidays in Washington; above – people await last year’s fireworks show
World War II enthusiasts drive a Sherman Tank in Normandy as part of D-Day celebrations
Bands will play and the president will give a speech before the Lincoln Memorial.
The White House has set aside a VIP section in front of the monument for dignitaries, family and friends to hear Trump’s address that will be accessible only through tickets distributed by the White House, The Post reported.
Protests will also take place.
The Baby Trump Blimp will be on the National Mall.
Code Pink announced it has obtained the necessary permits from the National Park Service to fly the Baby Trump blimp in D.C. on July 4.
But it’s unclear if the balloon an actually fly over the Mall, as helium balloon are barred from the area at all times.
Code Pink didn’t answer DailyMail.com’s request for comment.
No president has personally taken part in the Mall festivities in recent memory, typically watching the fireworks from the White House instead.
In addition to the president’s plans, there’s also an annual concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol, broadcast live by PBS.
Actor John Stamos will host that event which will feature singer Carole King and characters from Sesame Street Street, including Big Bird and Burt and Ernie.
READY TO ROLL: MEET THE M1A2SEPv3 – THE MOST LETHAL TANK THE ARMY HAS EVER HAD
Live fire: An M1A2 (right) taking part in a live fire exercise in South Korea in 2017 alongside the almost identical K1A2, the South Korean army’s version of the tank
President Trump came face-to-face with the latest version of the M1 tank, the main battle tank which has led the U.S. into battle twice with Iraq and also seen small-scale use against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
But the latest version is being painted in green camouflage used in temperate climates, a sign of the new threat from Russia which it is expected to help deter.
The M1A2 it is based on is currently deployed in both South Korea and bases in Germany with the deployment plan for the v3 still to be disclosed but expected by 2020.
What’s on board:
Primary gun: The M256 L/4 120mm canon, firing either M829A4 armor-piercing rounds. New rounds are being designed to pierce Russian explosive reactive armor fitted on its latest T-14 main battle tank
Secondary weapons: Remotely-controlled 12.7mm heavy machine gun and 7.62 mm M240 light machine gun
Other armament: Twin M250 smoke grenade dischargers on either side of the turret
Protection: Depleted uranium armor; new reactive and slat armor can also be fitted. Slat armor is deployed against IED threats. IED threats are also dealt with by the CREW Duke V3 electronic warfare system. Israeli-designed Trophy Active Protection System which detects and intercepts rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank missiles is being tested
Engine: 1,500hp Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine. Auxiliary power unit which can run on-board systems for ‘silent watch’ operations and increase fuel efficiency. Generator can move the turret when the main engine is switched off and tank is stationary. Six speed automatic transmission – four forward gears, two reverse
Innovations: New Vehicle Health Management System for easier maintenance. Ammunition DataLink which allows rounds to be controlled after firing. New Forward Looking Infrared Radar
Specification:
Crew: Four – commander, driver, gunner, loader
Top speed: 42 mph on-road, 25mph off-road
Weight: 71.2 tons – compared to 60 tons for the original M1 and 63 tones for the M1A1
Weapons load: 42 rounds of M829A4 armor-piercing rounds