In an extravagant military display set for Saturday, Washington, DC will witness the deployment of 28 Abrams battle tanks, 56 armored Stryker and Bradley fighting vehicles, artillery launchers, 6,600 troops, and various animals, including 34 horses and two mules, along with a dog.
This remarkable spectacle marks the 250th birthday of the US Army and coincidentally, President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, as he has promised that these ‘thundering tanks and breathtaking flyovers will roar through our capital city’ in an event that he declares will be ‘unforgettable.’
As the nation approaches the mid-point of President Trump’s second term, he has increasingly tested the boundaries of presidential authority, particularly in the realm of military deployment domestically. A recent example of this is the controversial mobilization of the US National Guard and Marines to address protests in California sparked by his immigration policies.
The military parade raises questions about its intended audience and the message it conveys. According to Irene Gammel, a historian at Toronto Metropolitan University, this event represents a ‘grandiose spectacle’ with significant political undertones. ‘When so much money and resources are allocated to an event like a military parade that aligns with a birthday, it’s likely there’s a specific purpose behind it.’
President Trump’s fascination with military parades has been evident since attending France’s Bastille Day in 2017, where he expressed a desire to replicate such an event in the United States.
However, various defense officials have opposed the idea, cautioning that such displays could blur the lines between partisanship and military power. Paul Selva, the former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed concern that military parades resemble actions more commonly associated with authoritarian regimes.
Barbara Perry, a presidential historian from the University of Virginia, emphasizes that while military parades aren’t new in American culture, their recent scarcity and the combination with Trump’s birthday inclination towards authoritarianism raise eyebrows. ‘Highlighting military capabilities in celebration is generally reserved for victories or significant historical events, and holding it on the president’s birthday seems to foster a cult of personality.’
The upcoming parade is further complicated by political tension. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and some veteran organizations, perceive this spectacle as an extension of Trump’s ego. His deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, executed without state consent, has already drawn negative reactions.
While Trump has refrained from invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, which could legally empower military involvement in domestic issues, specialists recognize the psychological impact these actions can have on the perception of Saturday’s event. Marjorie Cohn, a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, claims that Trump’s use of the military underlies his intention to present the armed forces as a primary instrument for maintaining order and asserting his authority domestically.
Cohn further elaborates on the implications for civil liberties, suggesting that Trump appears to regard the military as his ‘personal police force’ and highlights how his military strategy interacts with his broader approach to governance. ‘By deploying military resources to address protests, he is sending a message that challenges the traditional norms of military engagement with civilian affairs.’
On the day prior to the parade, President Trump stated, ‘For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force,’ further underscoring the militaristic atmosphere surrounding the event.
While the White House maintains that President Trump’s birthday is not the focal point of the parade, the timing undeniably lends itself to speculation. The Pentagon has confirmed a lack of plans to acknowledge this personal milestone during the event. White House official Vince Haley described the program as a tribute to the sacrifices made by servicemen and women.
Mike Lyons, a retired Army major, offers a perspective that downplays the significance of the parade as mere political theater. ‘Trump is seizing an opportunity to mark the 250 years of the Army, and those who criticize the overlapping birthdays are simply reacting to their feelings toward him,’ he states.
Lyons points out that military displays typically happen regularly at military facilities and argues that this parade is occasionally blown out of proportion compared to historical references to military shows of force in non-democratic nations.
The parade is expected to come with significant costs that are estimated between $25 million and $45 million, drawing concerns over the expenditure compared to expected savings in other governmental sectors proposed by the Trump administration.
Critics have argued that, as the event incorporates potent military imagery, it aligns with President Trump’s broader strategy to bolster his political base by wrapping himself in symbols that resonate with many Americans.
Irene Gammel predicts that the visuals presented during the parade will have long-lasting implications, shaping perceptions of both military dominance and Trump’s association with state power in a dangerous way. ‘At a time of profound challenges to our democratic foundations, all that Trump needs to do is show up and allow the military to amplify his presence,’ she comments.
In summary, the impending military parade in Washington, DC merges a significant anniversary of military history with the personal celebration of President Donald Trump, presenting the potential for deep political implications amidst the ongoing tensions in the nation.
image source from：https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/12/trump-promises-unforgettable-military-parade-in-dc-but-who-is-it-for
