On Saturday evening, the capital of the United States will take on an appearance reminiscent of North Korea’s Pyongyang, China’s Beijing, and Russia’s Red Square, featuring tanks and missile launchers parading through the streets. This spectacle—a $45 million “birthday gift” to himself, funded by taxpayers—highlights a troubling trend in American politics.
The U.S. military is designed to remain apolitical, standing apart from politics and the whims of elected officials. This principle is what sets America apart from other nations and contributes to its greatness.
Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul expressed skepticism about the parade’s symbolism, telling HuffPost, “I don’t really think the symbolism of tanks and missiles is really what we’re all about. If you ask me about a military parade, the first images that come to mind are of the Soviet Union and North Korea.”
Interestingly, this monumental event aligns with the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, overshadowing Donald Trump’s own 79th birthday. Isn’t it ironic how the mainstream media has made such a fuss over Biden’s age at 81, while we often overlook that Trump is just 79? Let’s not ignore the math here.
Although both the Navy and the Marines also celebrate significant anniversaries this year, there has been no discussion of organizing lavish $45 million events for them. This raises questions about why only Trump’s birthday seems to warrant such extravagant recognition.
The military parade appears to promote an authoritarian display of power, further emphasized by the unnecessary deployment of U.S. troops to police American streets, as confirmed by the Los Angeles police chief.
Historically, the United States has held very few military parades, the last occurring in 1991 during George H.W. Bush’s presidency, after American forces pushed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait—an event justifying a celebration of military success.
Despite Trump’s frequent proclamations of support for the armed forces, his history reveals a stark disregard for military service and its values. He evaded the Vietnam War draft, citing “bone spurs,” with a doctor who was a family friend providing the diagnosis. Moreover, during his presidential campaign in 2015, Trump insulted Arizona Senator John McCain—an esteemed veteran who endured nearly six years of imprisonment and torture—by claiming he was not a hero simply because he was captured, stating he preferred those who avoided capture. Reports from his former chief of staff indicate that Trump referred to fallen military members as “suckers” and “losers,” demonstrating a clear lack of respect for their sacrifices.
Trump also broke the long-standing tradition of a commander-in-chief personally shaking hands with every graduating cadet at a military academy, leaving West Point immediately after his speech to return to his golf resort in New Jersey. In contrast, Joe Biden devoted time to congratulating each graduate last year, spending 70 minutes with them—reflecting a commitment to honoring military service that Trump failed to show during his tenure, even when he had participated in similar ceremonies in the past.
As we witness this parade today, it’s crucial to honor the Army’s 250 years of service to our nation and celebrate the values they embody—principles that Trump himself seems to overlook or misunderstand.
Blue Press Journal 
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