Washington, D.C. will host a significant military event this summer, with plans for a joint celebration of President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, featuring up to 25 tanks rolling through the capital, according to U.S. officials. The event is scheduled for June 14, with costs estimated between $25 million and $45 million.
This event expands the Army’s planned anniversary observance, adding a parade to honor the president’s birthday. Officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, noted that including the parade increased expenditure by several million dollars beyond the original budget for the Army’s anniversary events.
Sources indicate that the military plans to deploy approximately two dozen M1 Abrams tanks for the celebration. These tanks, each weighing over 130,000 pounds, will be part of a broader military presence, which includes more than 6,500 troops, around 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft.
The provided cost estimates exclude additional expenses for Washington, D.C., such as road repairs for any damage caused by the heavy tanks or post-event cleanup. Local officials have not yet publicly addressed the potential impact on city infrastructure or services.
Large-scale military parades are rare in U.S. history, typically reserved for major victories or milestones. The last major tank parade in Washington occurred in 1991, marking the end of the Gulf War, when U.S.-led forces expelled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s army from Kuwait.
This is not President Trump’s first effort to organize a military parade during his presidency. In his first term, he directed the Pentagon to consider a military parade after attending France’s Bastille Day celebrations in 2017, where he observed French troops marching alongside President Emmanuel Macron. Those initial plans were estimated at about $90 million before being reduced.
Trump eventually opted for a smaller display during the 2019 Independence Day celebrations, featuring static displays of armored vehicles at the Lincoln Memorial and military aircraft flyovers.
The Army’s 250th anniversary is a key milestone, tracing its origins back to June 14, 1775, when the Continental Congress established the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Such anniversaries are typically marked with ceremonies across the United States and at military bases worldwide.
During a press briefing last week, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates expressed his support for the upcoming celebration. Gates emphasized the significance of the occasion, stating that “the Army has a proud 250-year history defending our nation,” and highlighted the importance of properly recognizing the milestone. He noted that efforts were underway in collaboration with the White House to ensure the festivities appropriately honor both the nation’s military heritage and the Commander-in-Chief.
The dual celebration has faced some criticism, with detractors viewing it as an excessive display at a time when the administration has implemented major cost-cutting measures across federal agencies. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia called the expenditure “fiscally irresponsible” and questioned the appropriateness of combining a presidential birthday celebration with a military anniversary.
On Tuesday, May 13, Warner stated that, while the Army’s storied history should undoubtedly be honored, allocating tens of millions of taxpayer dollars for a parade appeared inconsistent with the budget constraints being implemented in other areas.
Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany expressed support for the plans, emphasizing that the event would honor both the president and 250 years of sacrifices made by American soldiers. McEnany highlighted that the alignment of the president’s birthday with the Army’s anniversary provided a rare chance to celebrate two significant American institutions together.
Planning for the event continues, with details about the parade route, public access, and security measures expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The National Park Service and D.C. Metropolitan Police Department are coordinating with military officials on logistics and crowd management for what is anticipated to be a large-scale event drawing both supporters and possible protesters.
