Washington: Plans for a twin celebration marking U.S. President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary now call for as many as 25 M1 Abrams tanks rolling through Washington, D.C., according to U.S. officials who spoke to the international news agency Reuters on Wednesday. The event’s cost is expected to range between $25 million and $45 million.
U.S. military branches traditionally honor their heritage with anniversary celebrations known as “birthdays,” held nationwide and at bases globally.
The U.S. Army had initially planned to transport troops and equipment to the National Mall in Washington on June 14 as part of its milestone anniversary festivities. However, the event has expanded to include a parade that coincides with President Trump’s birthday.
Two anonymous U.S. officials told Reuters that the final price tag could reach $45 million, noting that the inclusion of the parade added several million dollars beyond the original budget. One official specified that approximately two dozen M1 Abrams tanks would be part of the celebration.
These cost estimates do not account for expenses the city of Washington would incur, such as trash cleanup or road repairs resulting from damage caused by the heavy tanks.
Earlier Reuters reports detailed that the plan includes the movement of more than 6,500 troops, about 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft to the capital for the event.
The parade has drawn criticism from opponents who label it an authoritarian display of power and a wasteful expenditure, particularly in light of Trump’s broader efforts to reduce federal spending.
Also Read | UnitedHealth’s Medicare Advantage Business Under DOJ Criminal Scrutiny
During his first term, Trump directed the Pentagon to explore a military display after witnessing France’s Bastille Day parade in 2017, where he and French President Emmanuel Macron observed French forces marching down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris. That proposed parade was estimated to cost $90 million.
Ultimately, Trump opted for a more modest military showcase featuring tanks and armored vehicles during the July Fourth celebrations in Washington in 2019.
Also Read | Liberal Government to Deliver Economic Update, No Budget Expected This Year
Military parades in the United States are uncommon and are typically reserved for significant national moments. Globally, such parades are often held to celebrate wartime victories or to demonstrate military strength.
The last major parade featuring tanks and thousands of troops in Washington was in 1991, commemorating the liberation of Kuwait following the Gulf War.
