Kathrine Frich
Seven U.S. Army bands will perform, and a parachute demonstration is also being planned.
The U.S. Army is preparing an elaborate military parade to mark both its 250th anniversary and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump on June 14, 2025.
Aligning with Trump
According to documents obtained by the Associated Press, the celebration could feature 6,600 troops, over 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven military bands, and possibly thousands of civilian spectators lining the streets of Washington, D.C.
These internal planning documents, dated April 29 and 30, represent the latest iteration of a long-planned Army festival on the National Mall.
The inclusion of a full-scale military parade is a recent addition, one long desired by President Trump since witnessing France’s Bastille Day celebration in 2017.
Despite the festive theme of military commemoration, the timing and scale of the event strongly align with Trump’s personal ambitions for such a spectacle.
Final Approval Pending
While final approval from the White House is still pending, the parade is expected to showcase units from at least 11 military divisions, including Stryker battalions, infantry and tank companies, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Paladin artillery, and mobile howitzers.
Seven U.S. Army bands will perform, and a parachute demonstration is also being planned. The evening will conclude with a concert and fireworks.
Organizing such a massive event is expected to cost tens of millions of dollars, although no official budget estimate has been released.
Costs will include the transportation of heavy equipment and troops from across the nation, as well as food and lodging for the thousands of participants.
These financial and logistical hurdles are not new: a similar parade proposal in Trump’s first term was abandoned due to a $92 million price tag and concerns over potential damage to city infrastructure.
Military is Enthusiastic
City officials in Washington remain cautious.
Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged in April that her office had been contacted about a parade stretching from Arlington, Virginia, home to the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River into central Washington.
Bowser noted that the presence of tanks on city streets “would not be advisable,” citing infrastructure concerns.
Despite these reservations, military spokespersons express enthusiasm. Colonel Dave Butler emphasized the Army’s commitment to making the 250th anniversary a national celebration:
“We want Americans to know their military and soldiers. A parade could be a powerful part of that.”
Army spokesperson Steve Warren confirmed no final decisions had been made, but planning is well underway.
Celebrating Victories
Trump, for his part, has not officially commented on the June 14 event, but in a recent post on Truth Social, he wrote:
“We will begin to celebrate our victories again!”
He also promised to rename existing military holidays, proposing that May 8 become “Victory in World War II Day” and November 11 be called “Victory in World War I Day.”
As planning progresses, the spectacle promises to blend patriotic pageantry with political symbolism, and may reignite debates over the use of military displays for personal or partisan celebration.