President Trump has asked the Pentagon to plan a military parade showing off the U.S.’ military muscle. The Defense Department has begun planning and possible dates being explored are November 11, Veteran’s Day.
A January 18 meeting with top generals at the Pentagon served as the nexus of the event. The president made it known that he wanted to see a parade like the one he had witnessed in France several months earlier. The sentiments were taken as a directive, and the planning began.
The president was reportedly dazzled by celebrations put on in France last July for Bastille Day. He and First Lady Melania Trump attended those events. The parade also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the U.S.’ entry into WWI in 1917.
“It was one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen,” Trump said to reporters afterward. “It was two hours on the button, and it was military might, and I think a tremendous thing for France and for the spirit of France.”
Speaking to French President Emmanuel Macron some two months later, the president still had the events on his mind. “We’re going to have to try to top it,” he said.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the reports saying, ““President Trump is incredibly supportive of America’s great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe. He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation.”
The Department of Defense has also confirmed that planning has begun. “We are aware of the request and are in the process of determining specific details. We will share more information throughout the planning process,” read a Defense Department statement.
Grand military parades, associated more with the Soviet Union’s Red Square Celebrations or North Korea’s Day of the Sun Celebrations are often avoided by U.S. presidents. But President Trump has long wanted to see the U.S.’ military might on full display.
“We’re going to show the people as we build up our military…That military may come marching down Pennsylvania Avenue. That military may be flying over New York City and Washington, D.C., for parades. I mean, we’re going to be showing our military,” Trump said in an interview before his inauguration.