On Saturday, thousands of troops, accompanied by dozens of tanks and aircraft, will parade through the National Mall in Washington DC. This military parade is being promoted as a celebration of the US Army's 250th birthday, coinciding with the day former President Donald Trump turns 79 years old. After returning to the White House for a second term, Trump has long sought to hold such an event, and his dream is finally coming to fruition. This occasion follows his recent order to federalize California National Guard and US Marines to address protests against deportations in Los Angeles.
The all-day celebration will unfold under the iconic Washington Monument, starting with a fitness competition and an official ceremony to honor the army's birthday, which will include a ceremonial cake. At 6:30 PM ET, approximately 6,700 soldiers will march down Constitution Avenue Northwest, accompanied by armored vehicles, including the formidable M1A2 Abrams tanks. The skies will be filled with helicopters such as Black Hawk, Chinook, and Apache, adding to the spectacle of the day.
During the event, Trump is scheduled to preside over an enlistment and reenlistment ceremony, where he will also accept a flag from the Golden Knights Parachute Team. The evening will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the night sky. Earlier this week, Trump expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I think it’s time for us to celebrate a little bit. You know, we’ve had a lot of victories.” He has insisted that there is no connection between the parade and his birthday, emphasizing that its timing coincides with the Flag Day holiday.
While Washington DC frequently hosts a variety of events around the National Mall and the White House, this military parade is expected to significantly disrupt the daily life of the city, which has a population of more than 700,000 and predominantly Democratic leadership. The estimated cost of the parade ranges from $25 million to $45 million, leading to the closure of busy roads for up to four days. Additionally, flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will be suspended for an unspecified period during the event.
Local leaders have voiced concerns regarding the potential damage the tanks and armored vehicles could inflict on roads not built to support their substantial weight. In response, the army has committed to placing metal plates along sections of the route and equipping the vehicles with rubber treads to reduce impact.
Critics of the parade, including Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Democratic non-voting delegate for the federal district, have condemned the event as a waste of taxpayer dollars. Norton remarked, “President Trump’s longstanding wish to waste millions of taxpayer dollars for a performative military parade in the style of authoritarian leaders is finally coming true on his birthday.” She highlighted the expected detrimental effects on the city's infrastructure, especially following the previous administration's controversies surrounding federal employment.
Holmes Norton further criticized the parade, stating, “Although this parade will feed President Trump’s ego and perhaps his base, it will not serve any legitimate purpose.” As Washington DC prepares for this significant military event, the dichotomy between celebration and disruption remains a focal point of debate among citizens and leaders alike.
