A grand military parade is set to take place in Washington, D.C. next month, with estimated costs ranging from $25 million to $45 million. This monumental event will feature dozens of warplanes, hundreds of Army vehicles, and thousands of soldiers from various states, who will be accommodated in downtown government office buildings, according to an Army spokesperson on Thursday.
The parade, scheduled for June 14, coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and aims to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Steve Warren, a spokesperson for the Army, confirmed that all active Army divisions will be represented during this historic celebration. The dual significance of the date has sparked criticism from some civilians and veterans, particularly at a time when Trump’s administration has proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
While the parade is anticipated to be a grand spectacle, the response from D.C.’s mayor has been notably less critical compared to when Trump first suggested a military parade during his initial term. The president has expressed a longstanding interest in showcasing military might through parades, although he had previously shelved plans in 2018 due to concerns from the Army and local officials regarding the high costs and potential damage to infrastructure.
This upcoming event underscores D.C.'s complex identity as both the federal government’s hub and a city that has consistently voted against Trump. Amid the parade preparations, plans for protests are also in the works, reflecting the city’s vibrant civic engagement.
Approximately 3,000 service members will be housed on unused floors of a General Services Administration building, with an additional 2,000 in an Agriculture Department building. Most service members are expected to arrive a few days before the parade and depart on June 16. Military vehicles will be transported to the city by rail and truck, while participating aircraft will fly directly into the region. In total, the Army anticipates that 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft, and 6,600 soldiers will participate in the parade festivities.
The parade will be accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display and a day-long festival on the National Mall, featuring military demonstrations, musical performances, and a fitness competition. This parade is part of a week-long celebration marking the anniversary of the Continental Congress’s decision to create the Continental Army in defense of the colonies against British forces.
Other events planned for this celebratory week include an Army birthday run at Fort Myer and a new exhibition at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. Each Army division is responsible for funding the transportation of their personnel and equipment to and from the D.C. area, ensuring that these expenses do not compromise their operational budgets.
The parade is set to commence at the Pentagon’s north parking lot at 6 p.m., proceeding over the Arlington Memorial Bridge into D.C. and continuing along Constitution Avenue NW, concluding at 15th Street. The application for the parade was submitted by America250.org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the federal government's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
As part of the festivities, the Army's Golden Knights will perform a parachute jump into the Ellipse, where a presidential review stand, bleachers, and a concert stage will be set up. Army spokesperson Heather Hagan stated that the parade will narrate the history of the Army, beginning with the Revolutionary War and culminating with the modern Army.
On the same day as the parade, demonstrators from across the nation are planning their own events to protest Trump and the military-industrial complex. Andy Koch, an organizer from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, indicated that protesters aim to rally at Meridian Hill Park in Northwest Washington before marching towards the military parade.
Naveed Shah, political director of Common Defense—a progressive veteran-led organization—expressed pride in the Army’s birthday but criticized the parade, suggesting it serves more to bolster the president’s ego than to honor the sacrifices of service members.
The last time troops paraded in Washington, D.C. was in 1991, when over 800,000 people gathered to honor Gulf War veterans and witness a seven-block-long display of military equipment. As the city prepares for this upcoming celebration, the balance between honoring military heritage and addressing civic concerns remains a focal point of discussion.
