Report: Army drafts plan for parade with 6,600 troops on Trump's birthday
Detailed Army planning documents obtained by the Associated Press show just how far along discussions have come for a potential military parade on June 14 — a date that marks both the Army's 250th birthday and former President Donald Trump's 79th.
The plans call for a full-scale display of military power on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., featuring more than 6,600 troops, 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven Army bands, and fireworks. The proposed parade — still pending final White House approval — would be the first of its kind in the U.S. in decades.
If it happens, it would be the realization of a spectacle Trump has long wanted: a show of American military might on his birthday. But it also carries high logistical hurdles and an unclear price tag — though similar proposals in 2018 were scrapped over cost estimates nearing $92 million.
By the numbers
According to the April 29–30 planning documents, the Army is preparing for:
6,600+ soldiers involved
150 military vehicles, including tanks, Bradleys, Strykers, and Paladins
50 helicopters
Seven Army bands
A Golden Knights parachute jump
A fireworks finale
Participation from 11 corps and divisions across the country
Officials also anticipate up to 2,000 civilian participants, including military colleges, reenactor groups, veterans organizations, and historic vehicles.
Roughly 6,300 of the soldiers would be marching, while the rest would support logistics and operations. Some of the equipment was already part of the Army's birthday festival — but the proposed parade would significantly scale up the event.
The backstory
The original Army birthday event, long in the works, was intended as a public celebration of the institution's 250-year legacy. But as plans evolved this spring, a new component entered the discussion: a military parade timed to Trump's birthday.
White House approval is still pending, but Trump has long expressed interest in holding a massive military parade in Washington. After witnessing France's Bastille Day parade in 2017, he said he wanted one "even grander" down Pennsylvania Avenue. That idea was ultimately abandoned in 2018, with Trump blaming high costs and "local politicians" in D.C. for blocking it.
The new parade plans echo that original vision, complete with armored vehicles and flyovers — features that D.C. officials previously rejected over fears of street damage.
The other side
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in April that federal officials had contacted her office about a parade stretching from Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River into downtown Washington. Though she stopped short of calling it a "military parade," she warned, "Tanks rolling through the city's streets would not be good," adding, "If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied with many millions of dollars to repair the roads."
An earlier Pentagon memo from 2018 backed that concern, recommending only wheeled vehicles and no tanks to avoid tearing up infrastructure.
The planning documents reviewed by the AP also reveal a number of unknowns. The largest is which Army units would be selected to participate, and where exactly those troops would be housed. Some equipment would need to be flown or transported by train into the region.
The event would likely be designated a National Special Security Event, placing it under the jurisdiction of the Secret Service and involving high levels of federal coordination. That request is currently under review.
Big picture view
The parade — if it moves forward — would represent the largest public military display in Washington in decades. It also comes during Trump's second term, with his administration pushing to reshape federal agencies, including efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.
While the Army has emphasized that the event is a birthday celebration for the service, the political symbolism of aligning it with Trump's birthday is hard to ignore.
Army spokesperson Col. Dave Butler said the Army wants the public to "celebrate with us," adding, "We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that."
What's next
Final approval for the parade is still pending. As of May 1, the Army and White House have not announced a decision. If greenlit, the parade would occur the evening of Friday, June 14 — featuring a concert and fireworks to follow.
The Source
This report is based on internal Army planning documents dated April 29–30 and obtained by the Associated Press. Additional quotes and context come from AP reporting by Lolita C. Baldor and prior coverage from FOX 5 DC. Official statements from the Army and D.C. government are also included.
The Source
This report is based on internal Army planning documents dated April 29–30 and obtained by the Associated Press. Additional quotes and context come from AP reporting by Lolita C. Baldor and prior coverage from FOX 5 DC. Official statements from the Army and D.C. government are also included. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
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