Washington D.C. is gearing up for a major spectacle as the U.S. military plans to hold a grand parade on June 14, 2025—a date that marks both the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
According to reports from Washington City Paper, Trump has secured the day for his long-desired military parade. A D.C. source familiar with the planning revealed that the event is still under development, but is expected to stretch nearly four miles—from the Pentagon in Arlington to the White House.
Although no formal request has been made to Arlington County for assistance, Board Chair Takis Karantonis confirmed that the White House had given them a “heads up.” However, Karantonis noted, “It’s not clear to me what the scope of a parade would be.” He added, “But I would hope the federal government remains sensitive to the pain and concerns of numerous [military] veteran residents who have lost or might lose their jobs in recent federal decisions, as they reflect on how best to celebrate the Army’s anniversary.”
Trump’s Military Parade Dream Resurfaces
This isn’t the first time Donald Trump has expressed interest in a large-scale military parade. Inspired by a French Bastille Day celebration in 2017, Trump had previously proposed a similar show of strength in 2018, envisioning tanks and aircraft parading down Pennsylvania Avenue.
“We’re going to have to try and top it,” he reportedly told people after watching the event in France.
However, logistical issues and an estimated cost of $92 million raised red flags for military leaders and city officials. Then-D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser questioned the scale and necessity of the parade, prompting Trump to cancel the plan altogether.
Taking to social media at the time, Trump wrote, “The local politicians who run Washington, D.C. (poorly) know a windfall when they see it. When asked to give us a price for holding a great celebratory military parade, they wanted a number so ridiculously high that I cancelled it. Never let someone hold you up! I will instead …attend the big parade already scheduled at Andrews Air Force Base on a different date…”
Now, with his parade plans back on the table, all eyes will be on Washington D.C. this summer to see if the former president finally gets his military spectacle.
