The Democrats of Congress and at least one high -profile Republican are criticizing the billionaire cost of the 250th anniversary parade of the army on Saturday that President Donald Trump has long sought to celebrate the military.
Trump has said that the cost, projected to be $ 45 million only for the army, not counting security and other expenses, will be “peanut compared to the value of doing so.”
However, their critics argue that money could be better spent elsewhere.
“If it was really about celebrating military families, we could put $ 30 million to help compensate for the cost of child care, food assistance and registration,” Senator Tammy Duckworth He said in x. “But it is not. Trump is throwing a $ 30 million birthday parade just to caress his own ego.”
The US Army tanks. UU. Abrams arrive by rail to participate in the 250 Army Birthday parade in Washington, on June 7, 2025.
SPC. Rebeca Soria/Army of the USA through Reuters
Military and staff work to download heavy equipment and military vehicles that will be used in the celebration and the 250th birthday parade of the US Army. UU. In Washington, in Jessup, Maryland, on June 9, 2025.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
The Army said that it has explained to spend between $ 25 million and $ 45 million in the parade, which will include 6,700 troops and dozens of tanks, military combat vehicles and aircraft organized in or near the National Shopping Center.
“Money must be put into medical defense investigation instead of wasted in some pomp and circumstance for the president,” said Senator Dick Durbin, Ill Democrat, during the Senate Assignments Committee hearing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday. “This is not consistent with what men and women in uniform deserve.”
Saturday’s parade also falls on Trump’s 79th birthday, and when he ends near the White House, the parachute team of the golden knights of the army will present an American flag, after which he will administer the constitutional oath to the army enlisted.
“We all like to enjoy a good birthday party,” Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Posted in x. “But most of us do not celebrate with a military parade financed by taxpayers of $ 45 million.
“Save money to taxpayers. Have a birthday cake and explode some candles,” he said. “The capital does not close and extends 60 tons tanks through the streets.”
“I would not have done it,” said Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul. “We were always different from, you know, the images you saw in the Soviet Union and North Korea. We were proud of not being that.”
A member of the parachute team of the Golden Knights army of the US Army.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Some Democrats echoed that criticism.
“It’s outrageous,” said Representative Yassamin Ansari, D-Arizona. “This is something that would happen in North Korea, not in the United States of America. Donald Trump believes he is a king. He was not chosen as president of the United States, and should act as such.”
Army spokesman Steve Warren defended the parade, saying: “It is a lot of money, but I think the amount of money is eclipsed by 250 years of service and sacrifice that US soldiers have given to this country.
“We are seeing this as an opportunity to really strengthen the connection between the United States and its army,” he added. “So, yes, it is a lot of money, but it pales compared to what we are selling.”
The White House this week also requested an elevated step by the Thunderbirds of the Air Force.
When asked on Thursday what expects the public to remember about the parade, Trump said: “How great our country is, very simple, and how strong our army is.”
“We have the strongest army in the world,” he added.
The White House has not responded to requests for a total cost estimate that would include money spent on security and other arrangements.
A Black Hawk Sikorsky UH-60 helicopter will be used in the celebration and the 250th birthday parade of the US Army.
Alexander Drago/Reuters
The soldiers work on a Abrams tank that is organized at the West Potomac Park before a June 14 military parade in Washington, on June 11, 2025.
Jim LO SCALZO/EPA-EFE/ShuttersTock
Several Republicans say that the parade are jumping due to previous commitments, including the president of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson.
Georgia’s representative, Marjorie Taylor Greene, said she would attend and defend the exhibition.
“Washington DC is the safest it was ever!” She wrote. “Hopefully our great military and women could stay here. I am very excited that the parade celebrates the 250th anniversary of our United States army!”
The protests of the repression of immigration of the Trump administration are planned throughout the country to counterprogram the parade, with the protest of “non -kings” flagship that occurs in Philadelphia. Nine small protests in Washington are also expected, according to the Secret Service and local officials. Trump warned the protesters who will find “heavy force.”
On Thursday, he played the characterization of him as king. “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to approve things,” he said, adding: “No, no, we are not a king. We are not a king at all.”
Nate Luna and Anne Flaherty of ABC News contributed to this report.
