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Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump is getting the military parade he wanted in his first term
A member of the US Army 'Golden Knights' parachute team descends onto the Ellipse in front of the White House in Washington, July 4, 2020. (NYT) WASHINGTON: In President Donald Trump's first term, the Pentagon opposed his desire for a military parade in Washington, wanting to keep the armed forces out of politics. But in Trump's second term, that guardrail has vanished. There will be a parade this year, and on the president's 79th birthday, no less. The current plan involves a tremendous scene in the center of Washington: 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks (at 70 tons each for the heaviest in service); 28 Stryker armored personnel carriers; more than 100 other vehicles; a World War II-era B-25 bomber; 6,700 soldiers; 50 helicopters; 34 horses; two mules; and a dog. But critics say it is another example of how Trump has politicized the military. The Army estimates the cost at $25 million to $45 million. But it could be higher because the Army has promised to fix any city streets that the parade damages, plus the cost of cleanup and police are not yet part of the estimate. While $45 million is a tiny fraction of Trump's proposed Pentagon budget of $1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, it comes as the administration seeks to slash funding for education, health and public assistance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo "It's a lot of money," the Army spokesperson Steve Warren acknowledged. "But I think that amount of money is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice by America's Army." The Army is not calling the event a birthday parade for Trump. It is the Army's birthday parade. The Continental Army was officially formed on June 14, 1775, so June 14 will mark 250 years. That also happens to be Trump's birthday. There was no big parade in Washington back when the Army turned 200 in 1975, when Vietnam War scars were still raw. While smaller commemorations were held at Army bases around the country, complete with dinner dances, barbershop quartets and cake cutting, few people were looking to glorify the military so soon after the Kent State shootings. Besides, the country was gearing up for big bicentennial celebrations the next year. If things were going to be similarly low-key this time around, Fort Myer, across the Potomac in Arlington, Virginia, might be an ideal location, "where the Old Guard could march with some veterans," said Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the leading Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, in a reference to the 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Army's oldest active duty infantry unit. "But this is Trump," Reed added, speaking to reporters last week at the Defense Writers Group. "It's consistent with so much of what he's doing." Army officials say the parade will cross in front of Trump's viewing stand on Constitution Avenue, near the White House, on the evening of Saturday, June 14, part of a big bash on the National Mall. There will be marching troops who will be housed in two government buildings, officials say. They will sleep on military cots and bring their own sleeping bags, a topic of much merriment on late-night television. There will be Paladins, the huge self-propelled howitzers, and nods to vintage style. Army officials want to outfit some troops in uniforms from the wars of long ago, like the one in 1812 or the Spanish-American War. For more than two years, the Army has been planning national, global and even interstellar aspects of the celebration -- an Army astronaut on the International Space Station will be phoning in, Warren said. But those planned celebrations focused on festivals, a postal stamp, various fun runs, military bands and the like. At some point this year, Army officials said, a military parade in Washington appeared in the plans. Still, officials say there are no plans at the moment to sing "Happy Birthday" to Trump, or to the Army, during the parade. One plan does, however, call for paratroopers from the Golden Knights, the Army parachute team, to land amid the festivities and hand Trump a flag. In 2017 during his first term, Trump watched the Bastille Day parade in Paris with President Emmanuel Macron of France and returned home wanting his own. But the Trump 1.0 Pentagon shut him down. Jim Mattis, the defense secretary at the time, said he would "rather swallow acid," according to "Holding the Line," a book by Guy Snodgrass, Mattis' former speechwriter. "We're all aware in this country of the president's affection and respect for the military," Mattis said tersely when reporters asked about Trump's wishes. "We have been putting together some options. We will send them up to the White House for decision." Gen. Paul J. Selva, then the vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Trump during a meeting at the Pentagon that military parades were "what dictators do," according to "The Divider," by Peter Baker, a New York Times reporter, and Susan Glasser. When Mattis was gone, Trump brought up the idea again. Mattis' successor, Mark T. Esper, responded with an "air parade" as part of July 4 celebrations in 2020, Pentagon officials said. An array of fighter jets and other warplanes flew down the East Coast over cities that played roles in the American Revolution, including Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Officials in Trump's first Defense Department resisted his parade suggestion -- it was never a direct order -- because they viewed it as putting the military in the middle of politics, something the Pentagon historically has been loath to do. But now Trump has Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and military leaders who have been more willing to put his musings into action. This "raises the question, 'Is the U.S. military celebrating Trump?'" said Risa Brooks, an associate professor of political science at Marquette University. "Having tanks rolling down streets of the capital doesn't look like something consistent with the tradition of a professional, highly capable military," Brooks said in an interview. "It looks instead like a military that is politicized and turning inwardly, focusing on domestic oriented adversaries instead of external ones." There have been big American military parades in the past, but the last one was almost 35 years ago, to commemorate the end of the first Gulf War. Military parades in the United States have traditionally followed the end of major conflicts, such as the Civil War and the two World Wars. There were also military parades during three presidential inaugurations during the Cold War. And small-town festivities also sometimes commemorate the military with a few armored vehicles and troops. "I don't actually see the problem with a military parade," said Kori Schake, a former defense official in the George W. Bush administration who directs foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Schake said more Americans need to see the troops who serve the country. "If seeing our fellow Americans in uniform encourages public knowledge and connection, or inspires volunteering, it would be beneficial," she said. At the end of the day, "the military won't die on this hill even if they do not like it," said Peter Feaver, a political-science professor at Duke University who has studied the military for decades. "Trump's 2.0 team is better at giving the president what he wants whether or not it is best in the long run."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Trump is finally getting his military parade the Pentagon blocked last time
President Donald Trump is finally getting the military parade he has wanted since his first stint in the White House. The Pentagon previously opposed the notion of having a parade because officials wanted to distance the military from politics. On June 14, Trump's 79th birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary, 28 Abrams tanks, 28 armored personnel carriers, more than 100 other vehicles, 6,700 soldiers, 50 helicopters, a B-25 bomber from World War II, two mules, and a dog will hit the streets and the skies of the nation's capital. The estimated cost is $25 million to $45 million. The upper number may even rise, however, as the army has committed to fixing any city streets damaged by the parade. The cost of the cleanup work and police services is not yet included in the estimate, The New York Times noted. The Pentagon's proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 is $1.01 trillion, coming as the Trump administration is making severe cuts to public services, including education, health, and disaster aid. In addition, thousands of military veterans are slated to lose government jobs in agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs due to demanded cuts by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. While Army spokesperson Steve Warren told The Times that $45 million is 'a lot of money,' he added: 'But I think that amount of money is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice by America's Army.' When the Army turned 200 in 1975, no parade was held amid the Vietnam War and Kent State shootings. Smaller commemorations were organized at Army bases around the U.S. However, the U.S. was set to celebrate its bicentennial the following year. Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, told reporters last week that Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia, could be an ideal location for similar celebrations on a smaller scale, 'where the Old Guard could march with some veterans,' referencing the Army's oldest active duty infantry unit, the 3rd infantry regiment. 'But this is Trump,' Reed told the press at the Defense Writers Group, according to The Times. 'It's consistent with so much of what he's doing.' The parade will pass by Trump's viewing platform on Constitution Avenue on the evening of Saturday, June 14, part of a big celebration on the National Mall. The marching troops will be housed in two government buildings, reportedly sleeping on military cots and bringing their own sleeping bags. The Army has been planning elements of the celebration for more than two years. However, those plans were focused on festivals, a postal stamp, a number of fun runs, and military bands. The military parade didn't enter the plans until this year, Army officials said, according to The Times. While there are no plans to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Trump or to the Army, one element includes members of the Army's parachute team, the Golden Knights, landing and handing the president a flag. The last large American military parade took place following the end of the Gulf War. Trump watched the Bastille Day parade in Paris during his first year in the White House in 2017. He came back to the U.S. wanting his own parade, but the Pentagon at the time didn't agree. Guy Snodgrass, a former speechwriter to then-defense secretary Jim Mattis, wrote in the book Holding the Line that Mattis said he would 'rather swallow acid.'
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Trump is getting the military parade he wanted in his first term
US President Donald Trump will be getting a military parade on his birthday, which is also the Army's birthday parade. PHOTO: AFP Trump is getting the military parade he wanted in his first term WASHINGTON – In President Donald Trump's first term, the Pentagon opposed his desire for a military parade in Washington, wanting to keep the armed forces out of politics. But in Mr Trump's second term, that guardrail has vanished. There will be a parade this year, and on the president's 79th birthday, no less. The current plan involves a tremendous scene in the centre of Washington: 28 M1A1 Abrams tanks; 28 Stryker armored personnel carriers; more than 100 other vehicles; a World War II-era B-25 bomber; 6,700 soldiers; 50 helicopters; 34 horses; two mules; and a dog. But critics say it is another example of how Mr Trump has politicised the military. The Army estimates the cost at US$25 million (S$32.2 million) to US$45 million. But it could be higher because the Army has promised to fix any city streets that the parade damages, plus the cost of cleanup and police are not yet part of the estimate. While US$45 million is a tiny fraction of Mr Trump's proposed Pentagon budget of US$1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, it comes as the administration seeks to slash funding for education, health and public assistance. 'It's a lot of money,' the Army spokesperson Steve Warren acknowledged. 'But I think that amount of money is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice by America's Army.' The Army is not calling the event a birthday parade for Mr Trump. It is the Army's birthday parade. The Continental Army was officially formed on June 14, 1775, so June 14 will mark 250 years. That also happens to be Mr Trump's birthday. There was no big parade in Washington back when the Army turned 200 in 1975, when Vietnam War scars were still raw. While smaller commemorations were held at Army bases around the country, complete with dinner dances, barbershop quartets and cake cutting, few people were looking to glorify the military so soon after the Kent State shootings. Besides, the country was gearing up for big bicentennial celebrations in 2026 . If things were going to be similarly low-key this time around, Fort Myer, across the Potomac in Arlington, Virginia, might be an ideal location, 'where the Old Guard could march with some veterans,' said Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the leading Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, in a reference to the 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Army's oldest active duty infantry unit. 'But this is Trump,' Mr Reed added, speaking to reporters last week at the Defence Writers Group. 'It's consistent with so much of what he's doing.' Army officials say the parade will cross in front of Mr Trump's viewing stand on Constitution Avenue, near the White House, on the evening of Saturday, June 14, part of a big bash on the National Mall. There will be marching troops who will be housed in two government buildings, officials say. They will sleep on military cots and bring their own sleeping bags, a topic of much merriment on late-night television. There will be Paladins, the huge self-propelled howitzers, and nods to vintage style. Army officials want to outfit some troops in uniforms from the wars of long ago, like the one in 1812 or the Spanish-American War. For more than two years, the Army has been planning national, global and even interstellar aspects of the celebration – an Army astronaut on the International Space Station will be phoning in, Mr Warren said. But those planned celebrations focused on festivals, a postal stamp, various fun runs, military bands and the like. At some point this year, Army officials said, a military parade in Washington appeared in the plans. Still, officials say there are no plans at the moment to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Mr Trump, or to the Army, during the parade. One plan does, however, call for paratroopers from the Golden Knights, the Army parachute team, to land amid the festivities and hand Mr Trump a flag. In 2017 during his first term, Mr Trump watched the Bastille Day parade in Paris with President Emmanuel Macron of France and returned home wanting his own. But the Trump 1.0 Pentagon shut him down. Mr Jim Mattis, the defence secretary at the time, said he would 'rather swallow acid', according to 'Holding the Line', a book by Guy Snodgrass, Mr Mattis' former speechwriter. 'We're all aware in this country of the president's affection and respect for the military,' Mr Mattis said tersely when reporters asked about Mr Trump's wishes. 'We have been putting together some options. We will send them up to the White House for decision.' General Paul J. Selva, then the vice-chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Mr Trump during a meeting at the Pentagon that military parades were 'what dictators do', according to 'The Divider', by Peter Baker, a New York Times reporter, and Ms Susan Glasser. When Mr Mattis was gone, Mr Trump brought up the idea again. Mr Mattis' successor, Mr Mark T. Esper, responded with an 'air parade' as part of July 4 celebrations in 2020, Pentagon officials said. An array of fighter jets and other warplanes flew down the East Coast over cities that played roles in the American Revolution, including Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Officials in Mr Trump's first Defence Department resisted his parade suggestion – it was never a direct order – because they viewed it as putting the military in the middle of politics, something the Pentagon historically has been loath to do. But now Mr Trump has Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and military leaders who have been more willing to put his musings into action. This 'raises the question, 'Is the US military celebrating Trump?'' said Dr Risa Brooks , an associate professor of political science at Marquette University. 'Having tanks rolling down streets of the capital doesn't look like something consistent with the tradition of a professional, highly capable military,' Prof Brooks said in an interview. 'It looks instead like a military that is politicised and turning inwardly, focusing on domestic oriented adversaries instead of external ones.' There have been big American military parades in the past, but the last one was almost 35 years ago, to commemorate the end of the first Gulf War. Military parades in the United States have traditionally followed the end of major conflicts, such as the Civil War and the two World Wars. There were also military parades during three presidential inaugurations during the Cold War. And small-town festivities also sometimes commemorate the military with a few armored vehicles and troops. 'I don't actually see the problem with a military parade,' said Dr Kori Schake , a former defence official in the George W. Bush administration who directs foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Dr Schake said more Americans need to see the troops who serve the country. 'If seeing our fellow Americans in uniform encourages public knowledge and connection, or inspires volunteering, it would be beneficial,' she said. At the end of the day, 'the military won't die on this hill even if they do not like it,' said Dr Peter Feaver , a political-science professor at Duke University who has studied the military for decades. 'Trump's 2.0 team is better at giving the president what he wants whether or not it is best in the long run.' 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Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
3 airmen killed in WWII accounted for 82 years after bomber crash
Three airmen who died during a World War II bombing raid have been accounted for, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday. U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Charles W. McCook, 23, U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Henry J. Carlin, 27, and U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Sidney Burke, 22, were carrying out a low-altitude bombing raid in Meiktila, Burma on August 3, 1943, the DPAA said. The mission was carried out with a B-25C "Mitchell" bomber. McCook was the plane's pilot. Carlin was its navigator, and Burke was the armor-gunner. There were three other men also aboard the plane. B-25 bombers were among the most famous American planes used in World War II, according to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and were used in every combat area and extensively in the Pacific Theater. The plane crashed during the raid. Four of the airmen, including McCook, Carlin and Burke, were killed. The two surviving airmen were captured by Japanese forces. The DPAA did not say if the fourth airman who died in the crash or if the two men who were taken captive have been accounted for. McCook, Carlin and Burke's remains were not recovered after World War II ended. All three were declared missing in action. More details about how the three mens' remains were found and identified will be released once their families receive a full briefing, the DPAA said. About 70,000 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for from World War II. Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife Judge halts own order demanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia updates Convicted killer makes shocking courtroom claim after getting life in prison
CBS News
25-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Remains of 3 U.S. airmen killed in WWII identified 82 years after their bomber crashed
Three airmen who died during a World War II bombing raid have been accounted for, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday. U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Charles W. McCook, 23, U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Henry J. Carlin, 27, and U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Sidney Burke, 22, were carrying out a low-altitude bombing raid in Meiktila, Burma on August 3, 1943, the DPAA said. The mission was carried out with a B-25C "Mitchell" bomber. McCook was the plane's pilot. Carlin was its navigator, and Burke was the armor-gunner. There were three other men also aboard the plane. B-25 bombers were among the most famous American planes used in World War II, according to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and were used in every combat area and extensively in the Pacific Theater. View of a B-25 Mitchell bomber in flight, 1940s. Getty Images The plane crashed during the raid. Four of the airmen, including McCook, Carlin and Burke, were killed. The two surviving airmen were captured by Japanese forces. The DPAA did not say if the fourth airman who died in the crash or if the two men who were taken captive have been accounted for. McCook, Carlin and Burke's remains were not recovered after World War II ended. All three were declared missing in action. More details about how the three mens' remains were found and identified will be released once their families receive a full briefing, the DPAA said. About 70,000 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for from World War II.
