The U.S. Army is planning an anniversary parade - Trump's birthday

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump may eventually attend the parade.

The U.S. Army is planning a massive celebration to recognize not only its 250th anniversary, but also President Trump’s 79th birthday, both of which set on June 14. The celebration will have the potential to bring tanks and hundreds of other military vehicles and aircraft to the streets of June and on the streets and planes in June, according to three defense officials familiar with the plan.

During Trump's first term, the president tried to conduct large military parades, but these plans put costs and concerns that certain military vehicles, especially vehicles such as tanks, could significantly damage the streets of Washington, D.C. and bring huge prices to repairs. Two defense officials said the current planned march is estimated to be "ten millions of dollars."

Trump has not forgotten and is now considering a military parade for two birthdays. The current plan calls for a June 10 march route across Washington, requiring more than 150 military vehicles and 50 aircraft, three defense officials said. This could include armed vehicles such as Hummers and trucks, as well as so-called rail vehicles such as tanks, two officials said.

The planes will include CH-47 Chinook helicopters and 60 Black Hawk helicopters, two officials said. The famous Golden Knight is expected to jump from above, land near the viewing booth and wave flags at the VIP, two officials said, likely Trump.

Army spokesman Steve Warren said in a statement that the Army is celebrating its 250th birthday, which includes fireworks shows, festivals and parades. "The parade plan is underway, and we expect about 150 cars, 50 aircraft and 6,600 soldiers to highlight the Army's service to the country for 250 years," Warren said.

The U.S. Army Golden Knight Parachute, carrying the U.S. flag, landed on the Oval of the White House on July 4, 2020.Oliver Contreras/Washington Post/Getty Image Files

The tank's plan is not final yet. One option being considered is to place the tank on the trailer, which will mitigate some of the losses on the street, but it may also affect the aesthetics of the parade, officials said. They also plan to have a separate staging area for heavy vehicles so they don't have to cross any of the DC's bridges, two officials said.

Officials say the vehicles will roll on the streets of Washington, somehow compared to places like North Korea and Russia, with some criticism of the planned march in his first semester. Currently, the plan is to get Bradley to fight vehicles, Strick armored vehicles, the Army's new infantry squad, etc., officials said. All Army vehicles will draw inspiration from the Army's 10 divisions, which are brought mainly through trains from bases such as Fort Bliss, Texas to Fort Drum.

Officials said each department will contribute between 200 and 400 people to the parade. According to two defense officials, under the current plan, some units will sleep in government buildings, including the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. General Services Administration buildings.

When asked about the march last month, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that the plan was in its early stages and that the Trump administration had reached out but said she has not been directly involved.

Officials explained that the theme of the march would include the American war throughout the Army’s history, including soldiers wearing period uniforms.

The plans are still evolving, but the current early estimate is that the cost of parades and static displays will be as high as $45 million, two defense officials said. Two officials said that due to the final estimates within the Army, the march plan has not been fully approved by the White House and the Army.

Three officials said a single army unit would bear the final cost of the march. In some cases, units must spend more than $1 million to participate. Officials said this could affect the funds used for training. "Can the march affect training?" said a defense official. "Will this affect training? It's not clear."