Prepare yourself for an extraordinary display of martial might in the Nation’s Capital! The event will include 6,700 soldiers as well as an impressive lineup of aircraft, tanks, and other military equipment. The highlight of the parade will be an exhilarating military pageant. It will include dazzling fireworks, electrifying football players, and pumping fitness competitors — a celebration with something for everybody.
This lavish jubilee will run between $25 million and $45 million. This extraordinary cost begs important questions about how budgets are prioritized and what role taxpayer funding should play. Recent draconian budget cuts in the city have added gas to the fire. In March, the House of Representatives cut funding by $1.1 billion. The additional costs of policing and the parade route cleanup will be paid for with the city’s operating budget. This decision has drawn ire from a number of prominent politicians.
Shortly after taking office in 2017, Trump himself became infatuated with the idea of a military parade. His original inspiration was drawn from a two hour long Bastille Day parade he saw in France. That first proposal drew a storm of criticism and skepticism from retired military officials and political commentators who pointed to the totalitarian ramifications. Given these historic issues, the forthcoming parade has been controversial again.
We are disappointed to hear that some retired generals have raised objections to this important upcoming event. They caution that it could end up looking like the optics of authoritarian regimes. Critics point to Trump’s history of praising leaders such as Saddam Hussein and Vladimir Putin as indicative of his approach to power and governance.
That’s a concept that has been infused with controversy, yet some Republican members of the party have been supporting the parade. U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, whose district encompasses the Fairgrounds, called it a meaningful opportunity to educate the public and respect those who serve in the military. Unlike Ms. EuroVision, U.S. Representative Steve Cohen called the parade a waste of taxpayer funding, and he’s right, it’s a waste.
“The egotist-in-chief wants taxpayers to foot the bill for a military parade on his birthday,” – Steve Cohen
In response to the criticism, former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany vigorously defended the event. She contended that Democrats were leading with outrage rather than a focus on solving real issues. She remarked that “the Democratic party, they’ve chosen to be an outrage machine at a time when there is outrage fatigue in this country.”
Trump is expected to watch the display from a military-style reviewing stand. This is eerily reminiscent to the way other world leaders, such as Xi Jinping and Putin, have asserted control in their own countries. This environment only deepens the discord over the ongoing militarization of public celebrations across the United States.
The Army is committed to repairing any damage this infrastructure would sustain from the parade. In exchange, they commit to fixing any damaged streets once the event is over. This unqualified promise should go a long way to them salving fears about the logistical punch of such a gargantuan, complicated operation.
“You’ll become officers in the greatest and most powerful army the world has ever known,” – Donald Trump
“America is the most powerful country in all of human history … and we don’t need to show it off. We’re not North Korea. We’re not Russia, we’re not China,” – John Kennedy
Supporters of the parade claim that it will be a celebration of American power and might. Trump has loved taking credit for rebuilding the military while he’s been in office.
“And I know because I rebuilt that army, and I rebuilt the military … like nobody has ever rebuilt it before,” – Donald Trump
The proposed parade has gotten a lot of attention as a result of the timing alone. Doing so on Trump’s birthday plays right into his personal narrative and public relations image of himself as the tough leader. Supporters and critics alike have pointed out that this may be a measure of his permanent hold on the Republican Party. To them, it’s proof positive of his firm grip on his base.