Thousands of troops, tanks, and aircraft descend on Washington for a controversial celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary—critics call it a costly “vanity project.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. military is rolling into the nation’s capital this weekend for a massive, first-of-its-kind parade in decades—a spectacle personally championed by President Donald Trump, who turns 79 on the same day.
On Saturday, more than 6,000 troops, 150 armored vehicles, and 50 aircraft will march and fly through Washington in a show of American military might, commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary. But the event, estimated to cost up to $45 million, has drawn sharp criticism as a wasteful “vanity project” at a time when military families struggle with housing and food insecurity.
Military parades are rare in the U.S., with the last comparable display held in 1991 to celebrate victory in the Gulf War. This year’s event will feature M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and historic WWII-era aircraft, including the P-51 Mustang and B-25 Mitchell bomber.
But moving 70-ton Abrams tanks through the city hasn’t been easy. D.C.’s roads can only handle 40 tons, forcing the Army to lay steel plates at key turns and fit tanks with rubber treads to minimize damage. The parade route, originally longer, was shortened over concerns about infrastructure strain.
The aerial display will include Black Hawk helicopters and conclude with Army Golden Knights parachutists landing near Trump to present him with an American flag. However, the flyovers will shut down airspace, potentially disrupting flights at Reagan National Airport—the site of a deadly crash earlier this year.
Meanwhile, anti-Trump activists plan nationwide protests under the banner “No Kings”, accusing the president of orchestrating a “made-for-TV display of dominance” for his birthday. Though no major demonstrations are planned in D.C., Trump has warned that any disruptions will be met with “very big force.”
A recent AP-NORC poll found that 60% of Americans believe the parade is a poor use of taxpayer money. Critics, including Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a combat veteran, argue the funds should go toward military families’ needs instead.
“This isn’t about honoring troops—it’s about stroking Trump’s ego,” Duckworth said.
But Trump has dismissed concerns, telling NBC News last month: “The cost is peanuts compared to the value of doing it. We have the greatest military in the world, and we’re going to celebrate it.”
As the tanks roll and jets roar over the National Mall, the event will undoubtedly make a striking visual—but whether it unites or divides the nation remains to be seen.
// END //
