A Controversial Military Parade for Trump's Birthday Fails to Win Public Favor
President Donald Trump is set to mark both the Army’s 250th anniversary and his own 79th birthday with a grand military parade in Washington D.C. on Saturday. However, this public display of military might occurs amid U.S. troops supporting domestic immigration crackdowns and aiding Israel in defense against Iranian missile threats.
This parade, the first since the grand celebrations for returning soldiers from the Gulf War in 1991, promises to be an extravagant affair reminiscent of post-war festivities from the Civil Wars through World War II. Over 6,000 service members, various armored vehicles, and numerous aircraft will parade through Constitution Avenue by the iconic National Mall.
President Trump, known for his love of grandeur, will have a special reviewing stand for the event.
However, the parade faces potential setbacks from Mother Nature, with forecasts indicating possible showers and thunderstorms in the evening. More importantly, the spectacle highlights Trump’s challenges in using U.S. military strength to achieve his electoral vows, particularly in ending conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
Interestingly, these elaborate preparations coincide with the U.S. launching aid to Israel against Iranian missiles and just days after Trump dispatched military forces to manage protests in Southern California against immigration enforcement.
Military parades, deeply rooted in American tradition, were once commonplace nationwide, says Barbara Perry, a presidential historian at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center. While pageantry attracts human attention, she notes a distinctive twist in Trump’s parade, emphasizing the troops’ equipment and tying it closely with Trump’s birthday—marking a notable departure from past traditions.
Critics argue Trump is manipulating military forces for self-aggrandizement, with the event potentially burdening taxpayers with a hefty $45 million bill. Comparisons have arisen with Soviet and North Korean authoritarian displays, which some American leaders, like Sen. Rand Paul, feel don’t align with U.S. values. “We were proud not to replicate such imagery,” Paul remarked.
This sentiment resonates with many Americans, as new NBC News Decision Desk polling shows 64% disapproving of the parade. Protests are planned nationwide, echoing a growing resistance to Trump’s proposed forceful demonstrations labeled under the chant “No kings.”
Trump has pledged to counter demonstrators with “very big force,” while denying that the parade is self-centric. He insists, “It’s a celebration of our country… a celebration of the Army.”
Democrats remain vocally opposed to Trump’s tactics, with lawmakers like Sen. Patty Murray criticizing the deployment of forces against American protesters, deeming it unprecedented and un-American.
Ken Carodine, a retired Navy rear admiral, criticized the parade as “a terrible idea” that servicemembers likely aren’t thrilled about, despite obligatory compliance with presidential commands. “It’s a foolish order,” Carodine said, “but still a legal one.”
Even some of Trump’s usual Republican allies express reservations. Sen. John Kennedy reflected, “America is a lion in this world—everyone knows our strength.”
Even with concerns about inclement weather, federal deliberations led to sticking to the planned schedule for the event despite potential risks.
For Trump, this parade is set to highlight his 2024 electoral victory and herald his leadership of the world’s foremost nation.
Reflecting on past military campaigns, while the U.S. achieved notable feats post-Desert Storm, prolonged involvements in Afghanistan and Iraq have left a lasting impression on the public’s memory. Unlike the triumphant returns of past, the quiet conclusion of the Afghan retreat in 2021, stemming from Trump’s agreements, lacked such celebrations. “A parade for those returning from Afghanistan would make more sense,” Carodine suggested, underlining the day’s controversies.