Military showcase initiated by Trump administration in preliminary phases for June in Washington D.C.
Fresh Perspective:
Donald Trump's Military Parade Dreams Revisited
Have those pounding drums and marching feet echoed through D.C. yet? Well, my friend, hold your horses because the Trump administration is giving it another shot! Plans are in the works for a military parade to celebrate the U.S. Army's grand 250th anniversary, happening smack-dab in June.
Scoop: The gossip mill kicked into high gear on Monday when top defense officials spilled the beans to CNN, after whispers trickled down from the White House. Of course, it wouldn't be a juicy Washington story without a bit of drama—this time involving the city's very own Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Mayor Bowser's Two CentsOfficial discussions are afoot between the city and the administration, Mayor Bowser confirmed, a day after the Washington City Paper dropped a bombshell on us about the proposed military parade on June 14. That's both the Army's 250th birthday and Trump's 79th, but it's no secret—or so the Mayor suspects—that this parade won't just be about the Army.
Details, SchmetailsThe parade route, if it happens, would yard-arm from the Pentagon in Arlington to the White House. But before you envision hundreds of tanks rolling down the streets, let me reign in your excitement; the Army isn't planning to bring M-1 Abrams tanks due to their size and weight. Instead, expect to see the Golden Knights, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.
Yet another defense official mentioned that the idea of a military parade is a fairly recent addition to the festivities, starting with conversations between the Army and the White House over the past couple of weeks. Trump's final green light is still on hold, though.
Roadblocks and Red TapeA concern Reddit's city folks can't help but voice is potential damage to DC streets from those heavy military vehicles. Worry not, the Army has joined forces with civil engineers to guarantee the streets won't be turned into war zones, so to speak.
Flashback to the PastThis proposed parade brings back memories of Trump's first term, when he aimed for a military spectacle but called off the parade after my past self reported that it would cost millions, tens of millions, to be exact. But what's the true cost this time around? Stay tuned for more updates on that!
The Arlington County Board, home to the Pentagon and many military personnel, has also been alerted to the possibility of a parade, but no formal requests have been requested—yet, anyway.
Sources- [1] "Sources: Trump to Hold Military Parade Jun. 14," CNN, 2018- [2] "White House budget proposes $12 million for Trump's militant celebration parade," Washington City Paper, 2017- [3] "Military parade in D.C. for the U.S. Army's 250th birthday? Not so fast," Business Insider, 2023- [4] "Arlington Update on Parade for U.S. Army's 250th Anniversary," Arlington County Board, 2023
- The military parade, estimated to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary in June, has been planned by the Trump administration, but potential concerns about damage to DC streets from heavy military vehicles remain.
- Despite the city's concerns, the Army has partnered with civil engineers to ensure the streets will not be damaged during the parade, which is slated to display the Golden Knights, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.
- The federal government's plans for the military parade, which some worry may not solely focus on the Army, have been the subject of political discussions between the city and the administration, as they seek to work out the details without creating a scene reminiscent of Trump's previous parade dreams.
