Is Trump's birthday parade dream finally marching ahead?

The US Army is drafting extensive plans for a potential military parade on President Donald Trump’s birthday in June, involving more than 6,600 troops, over 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven military bands and potentially thousands of civilians, according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press.

Dated April 29 and 30, the internal planning slides have not been publicly released but offer the most detailed look yet at preparations for the Army’s long-planned 250th anniversary celebration on the National Mall — now possibly including a major military parade, a feature Trump has long supported but which remains under discussion.

The Army’s anniversary falls on June 14, which also happens to be Trump’s 79th birthday.

The documents do not detail the cost, but organising a parade of this magnitude would likely run into tens of millions of dollars. Expenses would include transporting troops, vehicles, and aircraft from bases across the country to Washington, and housing and feeding thousands of service members.

Trump’s earlier effort to stage such a parade during his first term was shelved largely over its high cost, and the inclusion of heavy military vehicles in this year’s preliminary plans has again raised red flags among local officials concerned about potential damage to city roads.

When asked about the potential parade, Army spokesman Steve Warren said Thursday that no final decisions had been made.

Another Army spokesman, Col. Dave Butler, said the Army is enthusiastic about its anniversary plans.

“We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us,” said Butler. “We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.”

Others familiar with the planning, speaking anonymously because the plans are not finalised, said the documents reflect current preparations in case the White House approves the parade. The White House has not commented.

No formal go-ahead has been given yet. Adjustments have been made recently and more changes are expected.

Trump, in a Truth Social post Thursday night that didn’t reference the June 14 event, wrote, “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!” He also pledged to rename May 8 — currently Victory in Europe Day — as “Victory Day for World War II,” and to change Veterans Day on November 11 to “Victory Day for World War I.”

What the US Army parade could look like

Much of the equipment would need to be flown or shipped in by train.

Some troops and gear were already scheduled to appear at the Army’s birthday celebration, which has been in development for more than a year. Plans for the festival on the National Mall include a range of exhibits and activities, such as a fitness challenge, a climbing wall, helicopters, armoured vehicles, Humvees, and other equipment.

The addition of a parade would significantly expand participation. Planning documents indicate that around 6,300 troops could march in the parade, with the remainder involved in logistical and support roles.

The Army initially did not plan a parade, but officials confirmed last month that talks to add one had started.

According to the slides, the parade would highlight the Army’s 250 years of service, bringing together soldiers from at least 11 corps and divisions across the country. Units could include a Stryker battalion with two Stryker companies, a tank battalion with two tank companies, an infantry battalion with Bradleys, Paladin artillery vehicles, Howitzers, and other assets.

Seven military bands would participate, along with a parachute jump by the Army’s Golden Knights. Civilian participants could include historical reenactors, vintage vehicles and aircraft, two civilian bands, and representatives from veterans groups and military academies.

The event would be designated a national special security event, pending approval from the National Park Service, which has submitted a request for that classification.

A concert and fireworks show would likely follow the evening parade.

One planning document notes concerns such as where troops would be housed and “significant concerns regarding security requirements” as equipment enters the city. A major unknown remains which specific military units will ultimately participate.

Will Trump’s dream finally come true?

Trump’s interest in a grand military parade dates back to 2017, when he attended France’s Bastille Day celebrations . Impressed by the elaborate two-hour procession along the Champs-Élysées, he expressed a desire for a similar — or larger — parade down Pennsylvania Avenue.

That proposal was eventually scrapped over its massive costs — estimated at $92 million — and logistical headaches. City officials at the time opposed the inclusion of tanks and other heavy vehicles, citing the risk of damaging Washington’s roads.

Trump later announced the cancellation of the 2018 parade in a social media post, blaming the high costs and accusing local officials of overcharging.

This year, as the Army’s anniversary festival in Washington progressed, talks of a parade were revived.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said in April that the federal government had reached out to the city about a potential parade on June 14, stretching from Arlington, Virginia — home to the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery — into the District across the Potomac.

At the time, Bowser said she wasn’t sure if it was being officially labelled a military parade but warned that tanks rolling through the streets “would not be good.”

“If tanks are used, there should be millions of dollars included for road repairs,” she added.

In 2018, the Pentagon took a similar stance. A memo from the defence secretary’s office at the time stated that only wheeled vehicles — not tanks — would be used to minimise wear and tear on city infrastructure.

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With inputs from AP