The US military has told Washington DC residents not to panic if they see tanks on the streets for President Donald Trump’s Independence Day parade.

At least two Bradley armoured carriers and two M1A1 Abrams Tanks will be moved to the heart of the US capital for the president’s “Salute to America”.

The National Park Service will reportedly divert nearly $2.5m (£2m) to cover the cost of the event.

Mr Trump tweeted his 4 July celebration will be “the show of a lifetime.”

Mr Trump invited the leadership of the Department of Defense to celebrate alongside him on Thursday.

The president will be joined by top brass, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, the highest-ranking US military officer.

But the weather forecast is threatening to rain on Mr Trump’s parade. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are predicted for Thursday.

Army Col Sunset Belinsky told a local CBS News affiliate: “Residents of the Capitol City will see the vehicles move through their neighbourhoods, but should not panic.”

The tanks were moved from a railyard in south-eastern Washington DC on Tuesday evening.

Col Belinsky did not disclose where the tanks would be displayed on the National Mall in the city centre.

Mr Trump’s Independence Day plans have divided opinion.

Critics of the president see it as an inappropriately partisan display and a misuse of public funds.

The National Park Service is diverting a portion of entrance and recreation fees intended to improve parks across the US in order to foot the bill for the parade, reports the Washington Post.

In previous years, the 4 July celebration on the National Mall has typically cost the agency about $2m, according to the newspaper.

The diverted funds are just a small fraction of the National Park Service’s $2bn plus budget.

But the agency complained in March that it is facing almost $12bn in backlogged maintenance and repair needs – exacerbated by the US government shutdown at the beginning of this year.

Trump administration officials have not disclosed how much taxpayers’ money will be used for the 4 July celebration. Military flyovers alone cost tens of thousands of dollars per hour.

Mr Trump said in a tweet that the expense “will be very little compared to what it is worth”.

The cost of our great Salute to America tomorrow will be very little compared to what it is worth. We own the planes, we have the pilots, the airport is right next door (Andrews), all we need is the fuel. We own the tanks and all. Fireworks are donated by two of the greats. Nice!

End of Twitter post 2 by @realDonaldTrump

On Monday, the National Park Service issued a permit to feminist group Code Pink, allowing them to display an inflatable balloon depicting Mr Trump as a baby on a section of the National Mall on 4 July to protest against the “militarisation” of the US holiday.

“We requested a space on the large, empty expanse at the base of the Washington Monument that would not have obstructed anyone’s view but would have allowed the president to see the baby,” said the group in a statement.

But organisers were denied permission to use helium for the balloon to make it airborne.

Reports that the White House has distributed VIP tickets to major donors and political appointees have stoked accusations that the event will be partisan rather than patriotic.

The Democratic National Committee has been given no tickets for the event.

This week, Mr Trump’s re-election campaign reportedly sent out an email to some of its donors in the Washington area, encouraging supporters to attend the event.

Both the Republican National Committee and Mr Trump’s campaign confirmed to US media they had received passes to hand out.

The Department of Defence said in a statement it had received 5,000 tickets from the White House.

It is unclear whether those without a ticket will be permitted into an area protected by Secret Service as the president delivers his speech.

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