Congressional Democrats and at the very least one high-profile Republican are slamming the multimillion-dollar value of the Military’s 250th anniversary parade on Saturday that President Donald Trump has lengthy sought to rejoice the army.
Trump has mentioned the associated fee — projected to be as a lot as $45 million for the Military alone, not counting safety and different bills — will likely be “peanuts in comparison with the worth of doing it.”
Nevertheless, his critics argue the cash may very well be higher spent elsewhere.
“If it was actually about celebrating army households, we might put $30 million towards serving to them offset the price of their youngster care, meals help and tuition,” Sen. Tammy Duckworth mentioned on X. “But it surely is not. Trump is throwing himself a $30 million birthday parade simply to stroke his personal ego.”
U.S. Military Abrams tanks arrive through rail to participate within the 250th Military Birthday Parade in Washington, June 7, 2025.
Spc. Rebeca Soria/U.S. Military through Reuters
Navy personnel and workers work to dump heavy tools and army autos for use within the U.S. Military’s 250th Birthday celebration and Parade in Washington, in Jessup, Maryland, June 9, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
The Military mentioned it has accounted for spending between $25 million and $45 million on the parade, which is able to embody 6,700 troops and dozens of tanks, army combating autos and plane staged on or close to the Nationwide Mall.
“Cash needs to be put in medical protection analysis as an alternative of wasted on some pomp and circumstance for the president,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ailing., mentioned throughout a Senate Appropriations Committee listening to with Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday. “This isn’t in keeping with what the women and men in uniform deserve.”
Saturday’s parade additionally falls on Trump’s 79th birthday, and when it ends close to the White Home, the Military’s Golden Knights parachute crew will current him with an American flag, after which he’ll administer the constitutional oath to Military enlistees.
“All of us prefer to get pleasure from a pleasant birthday celebration,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., posted on X. “However most of us do not rejoice with a $45 million taxpayer-funded army parade.
“Save taxpayer cash. Have a birthday cake and blow out a couple of candles,” he mentioned. “Do not shut down the capital and roll out 60-ton tanks by way of the streets.”
“I would not have finished it,” Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul mentioned. “We had been all the time totally different than, you already know, the photographs you noticed within the Soviet Union and North Korea. We had been proud to not be that.”
A member of the U.S. Military Golden Knights parachute crew jumps throughout their efficiency for the Twilight Tattoo ceremony as a part of the Military’s 250th Birthday Pageant in Washington, June 11, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Some Democrats echoed that criticism.
“It is outrageous,” Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz., mentioned. “That is one thing that might occur in North Korea, not the USA of America. Donald Trump thinks he is a king. He is not. He was elected as president of the USA, and he ought to act as such.”
Military spokesman Steve Warren defended the parade, saying, “It’s some huge cash, however I feel that amount of cash is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice that American troopers have given this nation.
“We’re this as a possibility to essentially strengthen the connection between America and her Military,” he added. “So, yeah, it is some huge cash, but it surely pales compared to what we’re promoting.”
The White Home this week additionally requested a flyover by the Air Drive Thunderbirds.
When requested Thursday what he hopes the general public will bear in mind concerning the parade, Trump mentioned, “How nice our nation is, quite simple, and the way sturdy our army is.”
“We have now the strongest army on this planet,” he added.
The White Home has not responded to requests for a complete value estimate that would come with cash spent on safety and different preparations.
A Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for use within the U.S. Military’s 250th Birthday Celebration and Parade, is seen close to U.S. Capitol in Washington,June 11, 2025.
Alexander Drago/Reuters
Troopers work atop an Abrams tank that’s staged in West Potomac Park forward of a 14 June army parade in Washington, June 11, 2025.
Jim Lo Scalzo/Epa-Efe/Shutterstock
A number of Republicans say they’re skipping the parade because of prior commitments, together with Home Speaker Mike Johnson.
Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene mentioned she would attend and defended the show.
“Washington D.C. is the most secure it is ever been!!” she wrote. “I want our nice army women and men might simply keep right here. I’m so excited for the parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of our United States Military!!”
Protests of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown are deliberate throughout the nation to counterprogram the parade, with the flagship “No Kings” protest occurring in Philadelphia. 9 small protests are additionally anticipated in Washington, based on the Secret Service and native officers. Trump has warned protesters will likely be met with “heavy drive.”
On Thursday, he disputed the characterization of him as a king. “I do not really feel like a king. I’ve to undergo hell to get stuff permitted,” he mentioned, including, “No, no, we’re not a king. We’re not a king in any respect.”
ABC Information’ Nate Luna and Anne Flaherty contributed to this report.
