RUMORS FLY ABOUT TRUMP PLANNING A MILITARY PARADE ON HIS BIRTHDAY, RAISING CONCERNS
For years, President Trump has thrown around the idea of holding a big military parade on the streets of D.C. Now, early reports have revealed that a military parade to celebrate Donald Trump's birthday is in the works. Despite a lot of backlash and the expensive logistics of doing so, the parade planning is happening. Learn more about his plan, and why many are concerned.
The Trump Military Parade Is in Its Early Stages
The Trump administration is floating the idea of a big military parade in D.C. this summer, something the President has wanted for a while.
However, it’s believed that the parade would take place on June 14, which happens to be both the Army’s 250th birthday and Trump’s 79th birthday.
Early talks suggest the parade could start in Arlington, Virginia, and make its way across the Potomac into Washington, D.C.
While nothing’s set in stone, officials say it might be added to the Army’s planned birthday festival.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed the city has been contacted about the idea but pointed out that if tanks are involved, they’d need to budget for fixing the roads.
Over in Arlington, county leaders also got a heads-up from the Secret Service, but there are still no solid details at this time, as planning is only in the beginning stages.
It’s a Birthday Party in the U.S.A.
For years, there have been plans to throw a festival in celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday.
What this will look like is still in development, but a lot is on the table, including activities and displays on the National Mall, which would feature military equipment, paratroopers, and possibly a parade.
To be clear, the Army and White House still haven’t made anything concrete, but as the saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.
Not Everyone is On Board
During the Vietnam War, Donald Trump dodged the draft received five draft deferrments, which is one of the many reasons people object to the idea that our POTUS would have a military parade to celebrate, in part, his birthday.
Then there’s the backlash involving negative comments Trump has made about our nation’s military heroes, which are also drawing criticism. “The guy calls Veterans and people have been the armed service ‘suckers’ and ‘losers,’ and he expects everybody to march in a parade…I mean, that is chutzpah,” said Joy Behar, co-host of The View.
To make things worse, the government is claiming to scale back so that American tax dollars are used more effectively.
Not only are cuts coming in under the Trump administration costing Veterans their livelihoods, but this isn’t the first time he’s tried to throw a parade of this nature. Why didn’t it happen the first time? The price tag.
In 2018, Trump wanted a military parade, but the estimated bill to get the equipment, security, personnel, and everything else necessary for an event of this magnitude ended up being an estimated $92 million.
Charlemagne Tha God, co-host of The Breakfast Club, spoke on the matter, saying, “All these federal jobs lost, the economy is in the toilet, people’s 401(k)’s being slashed…Nothing to celebrate right now, my guy.”
Even beyond the backlash from popular media personalities, social media pages have featured mixed reactions, with many disagreeing for the same reasons listed above.
The Real Problem With Trump’s Military Parade
Forget the policies, the politics, or even whether or not a parade takes place. There’s an issue here that seems to be getting lost in the mix, which is exactly the problem—why aren’t we focusing on the military?
Regardless of whether or not Trump’s looking for an expensive yet awesome gift to himself in the form of a military parade, it’s still the Army’s birthday.
That’s 250 years of Soldiers telling the Redcoats to piss off. Two and a half centuries of navigating complex conflicts, both right and wrong.
It’s multiple generations defending our nation, promoting democracy, fighting back against tyranny, taking down terrorists, and ensuring that this is the land of the free because of the brave.
America’s largest military branch is hitting one hell of a milestone. Trump’s military parade shouldn’t be the focus, in truth. The attention should remain on those who have, do, and will serve the U.S. so that we all can enjoy the freedom bought with their sacrifice.
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