Military Parade on Trump's Birthday... Costs Reach 62.9 Billion Won

250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army Founding Event
U.S. Democrats Criticize "Political Motives"
Protest Against Parade Announced

The Washington Post (WP), USA Today, and other outlets reported on May 15 (local time) that the cost of holding a military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14 next month?which marks both the 79th birthday of U.S. President Donald Trump and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army?could reach up to $45 million (approximately 62.9 billion won).

According to Lieutenant Colonel Ruth Castro, spokesperson for the U.S. Army, the parade will involve 6,600 soldiers, 50 military aircraft, and 150 vehicles. Of the participating soldiers, 5,000 are expected to arrive several days before the parade and will be accommodated in the General Services Administration and Department of Agriculture buildings.

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

USA Today, having obtained military event preparation documents, reported that the parade will feature 24 M1 Abrams tanks, 24 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and 4 M109 self-propelled howitzers (Paladin). Vintage aircraft such as the B-17 bomber and P-51 Mustang fighter, both of which saw action in World War II, as well as 50 modern aircraft including Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook helicopters, will fly overhead. Approximately 7,500 field beds will be set up for the participating soldiers, and an additional daily allowance of $50 (about 69,870 won) will be provided.

The parade will showcase the history of the U.S. Army from the Revolutionary War onward, with soldiers dressed in period uniforms from each era.

President Trump has shown great interest in military parades since his first term. In November 2018, he attempted to hold a parade, but it was canceled due to high costs. However, in an NBC interview on May 4, he commented on the expense of holding a military parade, stating, "It is nothing compared to the value gained by doing it."

WP reported that the Trump administration reduced the staff of the Department of Veterans Affairs by about 15% in March, and that the parade coincides with President Trump’s birthday, leading to some public discontent. Last week, an application for a protest permit against the parade was submitted to the National Park Service. The opposition Democratic Party has also criticized President Trump for using the parade for his own political purposes.