Donald Trump wants 'massive military parade' for 79th birthday but DC mayor has major concern
Donald Trump reportedly wants a 'massive military parade' for his upcoming 79th birthday, but the mayor of Washington DC has one major concern.
The 78-year-old Republican is set to celebrate his birthday in a few months time (14 June) - which will also mark the 250th anniversary of the US Army - and, for the occasion, he apparently is keen on planning the parade celebrating both him and Americans in uniform.
The Washington City Paper reported on Sunday (6 April) that local officials have been briefed to expect a four-mile procession during the day but, according to Politico, the White House has apparently since denied the report.
"No military parade has been scheduled," the White House reportedly told the outlet.
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DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, has since shared her worries over the extravagant proposed birthday celebrations at a press conference earlier this week on Monday (8 April).
Bowser confirmed that a parade proposal had been made to the city's government, but noted that she was unsure if it was being 'characterised' as a military parade.
"I don't know if it's been characterised as a military parade, but maybe it has, I haven't been directly involved in it yet. I understand that I think it was Homeland Security maybe the White House reached out to our special events task force, which is what most people wanting to do a parade to in the District," Bowser said.
The mayor continued: "So I would say that it's at its early stages, yes they have reached out, I don't know if it's being characterised as a military parade."
When a reporter noted that the parade would reportedly begin at the Pentagon, she reportedly smiled and said: "Okay. Well, then it does sound like a military parade."
A reporter also noted that there were worries that the streets of DC would not be able to withstand tanks going down them.
"Yeah, military tanks on our streets would not be good," Bowser agreed. "If military tanks were used they should be accompanied by many millions of dollars to repair the roads."
A seriously expensive show of military force on Trump’s birthday may not set the right tone given the fact that tens of thousands of federal jobs have been axed by the likes of Elon Musk, who spearheads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to save money.
Tyla has reached out to the White House for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News
Rhiannon Ingle