Latest news with #America250Commission
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rain or shine? Trump offers update on weather's impact on military parade
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said this weekend's military parade in the nation's capital is a rain or shine event as forecasts show the potential for bad weather on parade day. "I hope the weather's okay, but actually if it's not, that brings you good luck, and that's okay, too," Trump said June 12 in discussing the parade during the congressional picnic at the White House. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't affect the tanks at all, it doesn't affect the soldiers. They're used to it. They're tough. Smart." Earlier in the day, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said there will be a military celebration "no matter what." 'Any changes to the Army Birthday Parade will be announced by the Department of Defense or America 250 Commission. No matter what, a historic celebration of our military servicemembers will take place!' Kelly said. A Pentagon official added on June 13 that the "weather is being closely monitored and taken into consideration, but at this point nothing has changed." The National Weather Service forecast for Washington D.C. on June 14 has a 50% chance of rain. The forecast says it will be mostly cloudy with a high of 83. Thunderstorms are possible. Trump is planning a large military parade through the streets of Washington D.C. June 14 on the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. It's also his 79th birthday. The second-term president described it as a "grand parade" in his picnic remarks, adding: "I don't think we've ever seen the likes of what you're going to see."The parade is drawing comparisons to authoritarian regimes, with Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, calling it a "dictator-style military parade." Protesters are staging "No Kings" demonstrations across the country against Trump on the day of the parade. "President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength," a statement on the "No Kings" website reads. "But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else." The Army's initial estimate for the parade covered a range from $25 million to $45 million. But the estimate has been refined as the event nears and includes damage to streets and infrastructure anticipated from heavy armored vehicles, according to a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The $40 million in taxpayer dollars will fund a parade featuring Abrams tanks, vintage World War II warplanes and thousands of soldiers marching in period uniforms to mark the nation's battles from the Revolutionary War to the present. A reviewing stand is being erected for Trump south of the White House. The Army has also shipped tanks from Texas by railroad to Washington for the parade, and soldiers from other posts around the country. They are being housed downtown in government buildings transformed into makeshift barracks with thousands of cots. Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook, Cybele Mayes-Osterman and Joey Garrison (This story has been updated with more information.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump gives update on whether rain could cancel military parade
The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Trump gives update on whether rain could cancel military parade
Earlier in the day, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said there will be a military celebration "no matter what." "Any changes to the Army Birthday Parade will be announced by the Department of Defense or America 250 Commission. No matter what, a historic celebration of our military servicemembers will take place!" Kelly said. The National Weather Service forecast for Washington D.C. on June 14 has a 50% chance of rain. The forecast says it will be mostly cloudy with a high of 83. Thunderstorms are possible. Trump is planning a large military parade through the streets of Washington D.C. June 14 on the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. It's also his 79th birthday. The second-term president described it as a "grand parade" in his picnic remarks, adding: "I don't think we've ever seen the likes of what you're going to see." The parade is drawing comparisons to authoritarian regimes, with Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California, calling it a "dictator-style military parade." Protesters are staging "No Kings" demonstrations across the country against Trump on the day of the parade. "President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength," a statement on the "No Kings" website reads. "But real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else." The Army's initial estimate for the parade covered a range from $25 million to $45 million. But the estimate has been refined as the event nears and includes damage to streets and infrastructure anticipated from heavy armored vehicles, according to a Defense official who was not authorized to speak publicly. The $40 million in taxpayer dollars will fund a parade featuring Abrams tanks, vintage World War II warplanes and thousands of soldiers marching in period uniforms to mark the nation's battles from the Revolutionary War to the present. A reviewing stand is being erected for Trump south of the White House. The Army has also shipped tanks from Texas by railroad to Washington for the parade, and soldiers from other posts around the country. They are being housed downtown in government buildings transformed into makeshift barracks with thousands of cots. Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook, Joey Garrison
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Thunderstorms may rain on Trump's military parade
US President Donald Trump's dream of hosting a grand military parade in Washington on his 79th birthday tomorrow could be clouded by thunderstorms. Forecasters say there is a threat of lightning at the same time as nearly 6,000 troops, 50 helicopters and 150 armored vehicles are meant to roll through the capital, watched by thousands of spectators. The Republican has been unlucky with the weather before, as freezing conditions meant that his inauguration for a second term in January had to be held indoors and a parade was canceled. The White House vowed that a "historic celebration" of the US army's 250th birthday would go on even if there were "changes" due to the weather. "Any changes to the Army Birthday Parade will be announced by the Department of Defense or America 250 Commission," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement to AFP. "No matter what, a historic celebration of our military servicemembers will take place!" The army and the America 250 Commission, which is responsible for arranging the parade, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Hundreds of anti-Trump "No Kings" rallies are planned on Saturday in cities across the United States -- although not in Washington -- in protest against what critics call the president's growing authoritarianism. 'Very big force' The rare military parade, the largest since the end of the Gulf War in 1991, comes after Trump sent National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles following protests. Mr Trump said on a visit to an army base on Tuesday that "we want to show off a little bit" with the parade, and vowed "very big force" if protesters try to disrupt it. The army says the event could cost up to $45 million. Nearly 7,000 soldiers will take part, wearing a variety of uniforms including some that date back through all of America's major wars since the Revolutionary War against Britain. Roaring overhead will be more than 50 helicopters including Apache gunships, giant twin-rotor Chinook transport choppers and sleek Black Hawks. Around 150 military vehicles -- including 28 M1A1 Abrams battle tanks, 28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and 28 Stryker eight-wheel vehicles -- will rumble past too. The route will take them past historic landmarks including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, ending up near the White House. The parade is meant to end with a parachute display as the army's Golden Knights team jump in and present Mr Trump with a US flag. 'Believe in democracy' The event is being held on Flag Day, which celebrates the Stars and Stripes -- but it also coincides with Mr Trump's own birthday. Long fascinated with military pomp, Mr Trump has openly envied the military spectacles seen in cities from Paris to Moscow and Pyongyang ever since his first term as president. Mr Trump has been particularly obsessed with having a parade since his first term as president when he attended France's annual Bastille Day parade in Paris at the invitation of president Emmanuel Macron in 2017. "One of the greatest parades I have ever seen," Mr Trump said shortly afterwards. "Because of what I witnessed, we may do something like that." Back then he was put off by the huge cost -- an estimated $92 million -- and warnings that heavy tanks could damage Washington's streets. But after his return to the White House in January, Mr Trump would not be dissuaded again. This time, the army says metal plates will protect the roads from damage Such displays of military might remain rare in the United States. "We were founded by a group of merchants and farmers who were tired of a standing army invading their streets in the name of keeping them safe," Peter Loge, director of George Washington University's School of Media, told AFP. "We've always looked down on grand military parades in Russia across Red Square or in North Korea, because we're not like that. We're Americans, and we believe in democracy, not in military shows of force."
New York Post
2 days ago
- Climate
- New York Post
Stormy weather threatens Trump's military parade, but ‘historic celebration' will go on, White House says
Stormy weather could potentially put a damper on President Trump's massive military parade to mark the Army's 250th anniversary – but the White House vowed the 'historic celebration' will go on. As Washington, DC prepares for the momentous occasion that coincides with the commander in chief's 79th birthday, thunderstorms are looming Saturday late afternoon into evening, according to the forecast. 'Any changes to the Army Birthday Parade will be announced by the Department of Defense or America 250 Commission,' White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told The Post Thursday. Advertisement 3 A US Army reviewing stand continues to be built in front of the White House ahead of the Army's 250th birthday parade on Wednesday. Getty Images 'No matter what, a historic celebration of our military service members will take place!' An Army spokesperson told The Times of London that while rain isn't an issue, lightning is a concern. Advertisement 'Rain won't stop us, the tanks don't melt, but if there's lightning then that puts the crowd at risk … they will disperse the crowd and even cancel or postpone the parade,' chief spokesperson Steve Warren said. 'It will depend on the president, too, when he's available.' The Department of Defense deferred comment to the Army, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rows of tanks arrived in DC this week that are expected to be among the approximately 150 military vehicles on display for the parade. The daylong spectacle will also boast more than 6,500 soldiers and 50 aircraft, the Army said. Advertisement 3 The parade coincides with Trump's 79th birthday. AP The parade is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., which is around when scattered thunderstorms could strike, Fox Weather meteorologist Samantha Thomas said Thursday. It's expected to be cloudy, humid and around 80 degrees throughout the day with a better chance of thunderstorms at 3 p.m. or later. Following the parade, a concert at The Ellipse and fireworks are supposed to take place. Advertisement 3 A Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter is staged on the National Mall this week. JIM LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The event is estimated to cost $25 million to $45 million, with some critics claiming the show of force is a waste of resources, though military parades are not unprecedented in the US. Trump called the price tag 'peanuts' compared to the value of putting on the celebration. 'We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world,' Trump told NBC News. 'We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it.'
BBC News
13-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
NI could be impacted by Donald Trump's US tariffs
The Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has warned there could be an impact for Northern Ireland in any trade said the introduction of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imported in the US on Wednesday was "disappointing".Speaking at an NI Bureau breakfast event in Washington DC, Benn said he didn't want Northern Ireland to be caught in the said tariffs were not really in anybody's interest and the UK government was working on negotiating a deal with the US. Benn said he had not had a chance to meet US President Donald Trump yet during his visit to Washington, but attended the Speakers' lunch on Wednesday where Trump gave an address. 'A bad idea' Former US congressman Bruce Morrison said that tariffs would be "bad" for Northern Ireland and could interfere with the Windsor former Democratic politician believes that the Republican party has "lost its nerve" in supporting Trump in whatever he wants to do."I think a lot of what's going on is a bad idea, these are bad things, but 77m people voted for him so need to tolerate it," he traditional NI Bureau breakfast is an executive-run event aimed at showcasing Northern Ireland to would-be American investors and celebrating its historical and cultural bonds. What are tariffs and how could they affect Northern Ireland? Tariffs are effectively a tax on trade, applied to goods as they enter the charge is paid by the domestic company that imports the goods, not the foreign company that exports the burden can ultimately fall on the exporting firm if it has to cut its prices or finds that it can no longer compete in that can be used by governments to protect domestic industries by making competing imports more the post-Brexit deal known as the Windsor Framework, Northern Ireland is essentially still inside the EU's single market for goods and enforces the EU's customs tariffs were imposed on the UK they would affect Northern Ireland even if the UK avoided US tariffs, the Windsor Framework could have implications for Northern for example, the US and EU entered into a tariff war with the EU deciding to put retaliatory tariffs in place, it could lead to a situation where Great Britain is not applying tariffs to US goods, but Northern Ireland is. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is to be included in a special international commemoration event at Mount Vernon next will form a major part of the 250th anniversary of American independence, where immigrants from Northern Ireland played a vital role in the birth of the United Vernon is the former residence of the first US president, George Washington. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he had a meeting with the America 250 Commission and the granting of "special status" to Northern Ireland for the role they played in the early years of the US was notable person from this period was John Dunlap, who printed the first copies of the Declaration of Independence. He was born in Strabane in said the event was important and would put Northern Ireland "front and centre"."It's been about putting Northern Ireland on the world stage and letting people know who we are and what we're about," he added. 'History worth telling' The communities minister was keen to stress that seventeen US presidents had Ulster Scots roots."This is significant because the organisers of the party next year, recognise the role that people from Ulster played in the Ulster Scots in particular. We have a big story to tell that hasn't been told in the past," he addedThe announcement comes after a £750,000 funding boost for the Ulster American Folk Park in County project is due to drive an increase in cultural and heritage links with the announcement was made during a visit to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington DC on museum tells the story of the emigration of people from Ulster to North America in the 18th and 19th said: "Our story and the heritage we share with the US is a history worth telling. Our connections, make Northern Ireland, a deeply resonant tourist destination for many Americans wishing to learn more about their Ulster Scots roots."
