US plans expensive parade to celebrate Trump's birthday
The Pentagon is cutting staff and funding but is ready to hold an expensive parade (Photo: Getty Images)
The US Army is preparing for a grand parade in Washington, D.C., featuring thousands of soldiers and hundreds of vehicles, according to Associated Press.
According to the preliminary plan, the parade is scheduled for June 14 in Washington, on the National Mall. Over 6,600 servicemen, at least 150 units of military equipment, 50 helicopters, seven military bands, and a significant number of civilians are expected to participate.
The event is part of the 250th anniversary celebration of the US Army, but a new element of this celebration is the parade itself, an idea long promoted by Donald Trump. However, the decision to hold the parade has not yet been finalized.
The documents do not specify the estimated cost of the event, but analysts estimate that expenses could reach tens of millions of dollars. Specifically, this includes logistical support - transporting equipment, aviation, and personnel to the capital, as well as accommodation and meals for the participants. The plans have raised concerns from Washington's city authorities about potential damage to road surfaces from the heavy machinery.
President Trump's initial initiative to hold a parade in 2017 was canceled due to the excessive cost of implementation, which at the time was estimated at $92 million.
The current plans also coincide with the ongoing large-scale optimization of the US defense budget. Recently, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a $40 billion cut in Pentagon expenditures. This could lead to the closure of headquarters, the reduction of up to 1,000 positions, and the relocation of some personnel to field units.
Pentagon leadership has also developed plans to cut the defense budget over the next five years.
