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The U.S. Army is drafting detailed plans for a massive military parade on June 14 — a date that coincides with the service’s 250th anniversary and former President Donald Trump’s birthday — according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.
Although final approval from the White House is still pending, the blueprint outlines a large-scale event in Washington, D.C., featuring more than 6,600 soldiers, over 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven Army bands, and a potential crowd of thousands of civilians. The parade would also include a parachute demonstration by the Golden Knights and be followed by a concert and fireworks show.
Massive Scope, High Costs, and Logistical Hurdles
While costs aren’t specified in the planning slides dated April 29 and 30, officials and observers estimate the parade could cost tens of millions of dollars. Much of the expense would go toward transporting equipment and personnel from across the country and housing thousands of troops in the nation’s capital.
Previous efforts to stage a similar parade during Trump’s first term were scrapped after a projected $92 million price tag and concerns over infrastructure damage from heavy tanks and armored vehicles on city streets.
The current plan calls for contributions from at least 11 Army corps and divisions, with units expected to include Stryker and tank battalions, Bradley fighting vehicles, Paladin artillery, and Howitzers. These elements were not part of the Army’s original anniversary festival, which already included exhibits, fitness competitions, and equipment displays on the National Mall.
Officials stress that no final decision has been made. “We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us,” said Army spokesman Col. Dave Butler. “A parade might become part of that.”
A Parade Long Desired by Trump
Trump has long expressed admiration for grand military parades, especially after witnessing France’s Bastille Day celebration in 2017. “We’re going to have to try and top it,” he said at the time. His proposed 2018 parade was ultimately canceled amid cost disputes and city pushback.
Now, with the Army marking a major milestone in June, the parade idea has re-emerged. Officials familiar with the matter say preparations are advancing in anticipation of possible White House authorization.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that the administration had contacted city officials regarding a parade route stretching from Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac into downtown D.C. She warned that “tanks rolling through the city’s streets would not be good” without major road repair funding.
A 2018 Pentagon memo similarly noted that tracked vehicles like tanks should be excluded to prevent street damage, suggesting only wheeled vehicles be used.
Security and Participation Still Evolving
The event would likely be designated a National Special Security Event, a classification requiring intense coordination between local, state, and federal agencies. That request is under review by the National Park Service.
Army documents highlight several unresolved issues, including where to house troops and how to secure areas as equipment and personnel are brought into the city. The “biggest unknown,” one planning document says, is exactly which Army units would be participating.
Civilian participants may include historical reenactors, veterans groups, and military colleges, as well as two civilian bands and historical vehicles.
As of now, the parade remains a concept under discussion — one that may transform a military milestone into a politically charged spectacle just months ahead of the 2024 election.
