Trump Saw A Military Parade And Wants One Of His Own

(image via Flickr and CC license)

Last summer, Donald Trump was invited by President Emmanuel Macron of France to attend the country's Bastille Day events which included a grand military parade.

Trump called the event "one of the most beautiful parades I have ever seen" and decided he wanted a military parade of his own.

From The New Civil Rights Campaign:

President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to hold a huge military parade for him, according to The Washington Post. The parade will have no military benefit, and in fact will cost millions of dollars. While not unprecedented, no U.S. president has had one since George W. Bush, but it had a purpose: celebrating the end of the Persian Gulf war, not celebrating the commander-in-chief.

“The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France,” a military official tells The Washington Post. “This is being worked at the highest levels of the military.”

The Post notes the cost of Trump's parade "could run in the millions, and military officials said it was unclear how they would pay for it." President Bush's military parade 25 years ago cost $12 million.

The White House says the parade is still in the "brainstorming" phase, but insists Trump "wants to do something that highlights the service and sacrifice of the military and have a unifying moment for the country."

Apart from the fact that we really don't NEED to show the world our military strength - we are have the mightiest fighting force in the world - the cost of producing such an event seems ridiculous when there are so many homeless, unemployed veterans. Many folks, including military service members and veterans would much rather see aid to our vets than a parade for a president's ego.

There were tons of negative responses to the idea of a parade. Here are just a few:

Was down at the SNCO club tonight. I can tell you not one fucking Marine was interested in marching in Trump's parade unless we're dragging him behind an Amtrac #MARINESagainstTrump

— 1st Sergeant (Top) (@Top_Sergeant) February 7, 2018

This response to Trump’s military parade request from Fmr US Army General Paul Eaton is everything: "The military is not Donald Trump's to use & abuse this way. Our military is the very best in the world, they are not to be reduced to stagecraft to prop up Donald Trump's image"

— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 7, 2018

How ‘bout we parade all the homeless vets in America to housing & health care?

— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) February 7, 2018

As a vet myself I think it’s shameful that a draft dodging coward wants to summon everyone to parade for...what? At least Bastille Day has a reason.
Also, didn’t we used to make fun of the USSR for these silly parades. He should learn to walk softly and not waive the big stick.

— Sean Girvan (@seangirvan) February 7, 2018

I would be embarrassed and angry if I’d been forced to participate while still in the military. As a civilian, I think it’s repugnant.

— Dow 50,000 author (@inthesedeserts) February 7, 2018

NAVY Vet. Spend the money on homeless Veterans.

— Roland D Briere (@afdcaptrb) February 7, 2018

This is an odd way to honor troops. The audience may love a parade but they’re not the ones giving up a 4-Day weekend and standing around for hours in formation. (Plus all those rehearsal days)

— Crispin Burke (@CrispinBurke) February 7, 2018

No clean water in Flint, large populations without power in Puerto Rico, vets without care and shelter, and Trump wants a parade of tanks and missiles on Pennsylvania Avenue.

— JKRamon 🎵 (@jkramon1313) February 7, 2018

I’m a vet. No to the parade. The entire world knows we have the biggest military. We don’t need to flaunt it. Further we fought for freedom and tanks rolling down PA Ave doesn’t scream freedom.

— Save the Republic (@notTrumpfoPrez) February 7, 2018