President Trump asking Pentagon to coordinate expensive military parade
While American troops remain on active duty and a government shutdown looms, top brass at the Pentagon are busy planning a new military tradition.
President Donald Trump reportedly wants the Pentagon to put on a military parade.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed that Trump has asked the Department of Defense to “explore” the idea of a parade. A senior defense official also confirmed that they are looking to hold the parade in Washington D.C. this November to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I.
Pentagon spokesman Charlie Summers said on Tuesday that plans for the parade were in their “infancy,” but that his office is reviewing possible dates, CNN reported.
“President Trump is incredibly supportive of America’s great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe. He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation,” Sanders said.
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These statements come after The Washington Post first reported that Trump had spoken with top Pentagon officials about the possible celebration.
“The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France,” one such official told The Post. “This is being worked at the highest levels of the military.”
The president’s reference was to a parade he saw last year with French President Emmanuel Macron on Bastille Day. Trump later called that parade “one of the greatest parades” he had ever seen.
Raising questions
Of course, there are a few problems with this plan. First, there are massive costs involved in transporting troops and equipment, and the Pentagon isn’t sure how they will pay for all, according to CNN.
What’s more, producing a military parade now is questionable when North Korea is set to have its own parade on Thursday. CNN cited sources with knowledge of North Korea’s plans saying that the reclusive country planned to show off their strength by showcasing their missiles.
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One source said that North Korea’s military parade was meant “to scare the hell out of the Americans.”
With this in mind, it probably isn’t the best of ideas for the American President to mimic North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, especially when the two leaders have repeatedly butt heads in a dangerous game of one-upmanship or mine is bigger than yours.
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