White House and Pentagon officials are planning a large military parade later this year to highlight the strength of America’s military and to honor troops.
“The president wants to do something that highlights the service and sacrifice of the military and have a unifying moment for the country,” a White House official told the Washington Post.
Later in the evening Tuesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders acknowledged that Trump requested that the Defense Department explore “celebration” ideas.
“President Trump is incredibly supportive of America’s great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe,” Sanders said in a statement. “He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation.”
The Pentagon also told the Washington Examiner that they were aware of the request.
“We are aware of the request and are in the process of determining specific details. We will share more information throughout the planning process,” said Pentagon spokesman Tom Crosson.
Although Trump has been vocal about having such a parade for months now, Trump’s request during a Jan. 18 meeting with top officials at the Pentagon was viewed as an order to plan such an event.
“The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France,” a military official told the Post. “This is being worked at the highest levels of the military.”
According to a White House official familiar with the situation, officials are “brainstorming,” and no plans have been firmly determined.
“Right now, there’s really no meat on the bones,” the White House official told the Post, but acknowledged that the parade was a priority for Trump.
The parade was first conceived after the 2017 Bastille Day celebration in France. Trump was a guest of French President Emmanuel Macron at the event and was impressed by the display with French troops, who marched through the streets along with military tanks and other military vehicles.
Trump said he would like to have a similar event to the U.S. and brought it up several months later when he met with Macron in New York.
“It was one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen,” Trump told reporters. “It was two hours on the button and it was military might, and I think a tremendous this for France and for the spirit of France.”
He also added: “We’re going to have to try to top it.”
Trump officials are considering holding the parade on Memorial Day on May 28 or July 4. The Pentagon favors holding it on Veterans Day on Nov. 11. This is partly due to the fact that Veterans Day coincides with the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
A location has yet to be determined, but Trump has expressed interest in Pennsylvania Avenue, which leads from the White House towards the U.S. Capitol, and is also where Trump International Hotel is located.
Legally, nothing would restrict Trump from holding the parade, but there are logistical concerns, such as how large tanks would fare on Pennsylvania Avenue blacktop.
American presidents have largely shied away from public displays of military equipment because Americans may connect the display to the Soviet Union’s Red Square celebrations or North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s display of Taepodong missiles.
However, George H.W. Bush organized a parade along Constitution Avenue following the American victory of the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
