Is Trump’s $45m birthday parade for the Army—or just for himself? Critics erupt over military spectacle

The U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade, set to unfold in Washington D.C. on June 14, 2025, has drawn intense backlash over its projected multimillion-dollar cost, symbolic timing, and perceived politicization. The event, coinciding with President Donald Trump‘s 79th birthday, is estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million for the Army alone—not including additional federal expenses for security, transportation, and road repairs.

The parade marks the largest military celebration in the capital since the 1991 Gulf War victory procession. It features 6,700 troops, 128 armored vehicles, 62 aircraft, and a parachute jump by the Army’s Golden Knights, culminating in President Trump personally administering the oath to new Army enlistees near the White House.

However, prominent lawmakers from both parties, veteran organizations, and civil society groups have criticized the pageantry as an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds and an event blurring the line between public service and personal celebration.

What is the latest full cost estimate for Trump’s parade including non-Army expenses and security?

While the Army’s budget is officially capped between $25 million and $45 million, total spending could exceed that significantly when factoring in the cost of security operations, infrastructure reinforcement, and crowd management.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service have classified the event as a National Special Security Event (NSSE), mobilizing thousands of officers and federal agents from across agencies. Land and air perimeter protections will be in place, and Reagan National Airport is rerouting flights to clear airspace for aircraft displays. The U.S. Park Police and Capitol Police have requested additional allocations, but no complete White House cost disclosure has yet been released.

Steel-reinforced street plates have been installed to protect roads under the weight of 60-ton Abrams tanks, with the Army Corps of Engineers estimating potential repair costs in the millions. Despite efforts to mitigate structural damage, critics argue this is an expensive display that diverts funds from national priorities.

Why are both Democratic and Republican leaders opposing the timing and scale of this event?

Senator Tammy Duckworth, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and Purple Heart recipient, voiced her disapproval, arguing that the funds could have directly supported military families through tuition assistance, childcare subsidies, and food programs. “Trump is throwing himself a $30 million birthday parade just to stroke his own ego,” she said on X.

Senator Dick Durbin raised concerns in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, urging Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to reconsider such spending at a time when defense medical research needs urgent attention. “This is not consistent with what the men and women in uniform deserve,” Durbin remarked.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders questioned the message such a parade sends to ordinary Americans struggling with inflation and healthcare. He criticized the President for using federal resources to stage what he described as an authoritarian-style display. “Most of us don’t celebrate with a $45 million taxpayer-funded military parade,” he said. “Have a cake and blow out candles instead.”

Republican Senator Rand Paul echoed that sentiment, saying he would not have greenlit the event. “We were always different from what we saw in North Korea or the Soviet Union. This undermines that legacy,” he stated.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Roger Wicker have confirmed they will not attend, citing concerns about the optics and their prior commitments. Senator Susan Collins reportedly found the cost “steep,” and Senator Ron Johnson also declined to participate.

How does the current parade compare with past military ceremonies in the U.S. and abroad?

The last comparable event took place in 1991, when President George H.W. Bush authorized a Gulf War victory celebration. While smaller-scale processions are common for veterans or Memorial Day, large military parades in Washington have generally been rare due to the political, financial, and logistical complexity.

Trump previously sought a similar parade in 2018 but canceled after the Pentagon projected costs over $90 million. That event, too, was met with concern that it imitated authoritarian displays rather than celebrating the apolitical nature of the U.S. military.

White House officials argue this year’s parade honors two and a half centuries of Army service. But observers note that the decision to anchor it on the president’s birthday risks undermining the intended symbolism of historical patriotism.

What are protest groups and civil society organizations doing in response?

Nationwide protests under the “No Kings” banner are scheduled to take place on the same day. The flagship demonstration is in Philadelphia, with thousands more expected in nearly 2,000 cities, according to organizers. Their message: America is a republic, not a monarchy.

Washington D.C. is preparing for at least nine separate protests during the parade. The Secret Service has mapped expected activity and restricted public zones. A significant sit-in organized by Veterans for Peace at the Supreme Court led to around 60 arrests, signaling unrest even among military families and veterans.

Protesters have warned that the symbolism of tanks rolling through the capital and troops parading for a sitting president’s birthday evokes a dangerous precedent. Some analysts have noted growing unease within the military community over being drawn into political optics.

What has the Army said in defense of the parade and its messaging?

Army spokesperson Steve Warren has stood by the parade, stating, “It is a lot of money, but that amount is dwarfed by 250 years of sacrifice American soldiers have made.” He added that the parade is an opportunity to bridge the military-civilian divide and inspire new enlistments.

The Army sees the parade as a strategic moment for recruitment, with enlistment targets still unmet across multiple divisions. The decision to allow President Trump to lead the oath of enlistment, while symbolic, has also drawn criticism for further politicizing military rituals that are traditionally nonpartisan.

The White House has requested a Thunderbirds flyover and additional ceremonial layers, despite ongoing weather concerns. Rain and thunderstorms are forecasted for the parade window, raising the likelihood of delays or cancellations of some segments like the fireworks.

What are the institutional and democratic risks associated with such parades?

Experts warn that large-scale military displays in civilian spaces carry reputational risk, especially when used to bolster political narratives. Political science scholars argue that democracies maintain legitimacy by preserving a line between military might and political spectacle. The intertwining of this event with the president’s birthday challenges that norm.

Some veterans’ groups have formally declined participation. The Northern Virginia chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America chose not to sit in the official viewing stand, citing discomfort with the presidential tone of the event. “We celebrate the Army, not the Commander-in-Chief’s birthday,” one representative noted.

Is this a patriotic celebration or political theater?

While the Army’s 250th anniversary is undoubtedly a milestone worth honoring, the execution of this event has opened up deep questions about the politicization of military symbolism, fiscal responsibility, and democratic image. The combination of a multimillion-dollar federal spend, authoritarian aesthetics, and birthday celebration optics has fueled debate across party lines.

Whether seen as a bold patriotic gesture or a vanity exercise, the Army’s 250th parade will be remembered not just for its tanks, planes, and parachutes—but for the national conversation it has ignited about who we are, what we celebrate, and how we fund it.