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Trump’s Military Parade Could Cost $92 Million, Official Says Trump’s Military Parade Could Be Postponed Until 2019, Official Says
(about 3 hours later)
WASHINGTON — The military parade ordered up by President Trump could cost more than $90 million, a Defense Department official said Thursday — a financial mandate that, if it happens, would come as the Pentagon emerges from years of required budget caps. WASHINGTON — A military parade ordered up by President Trump and planned for Veterans Day this year could be postponed until 2019, the Pentagon said Thursday.
Department officials said the plans for the parade have not been finalized. But one official put the new potential price tag, first reported by CNBC, for the scheduled Nov. 10 event as high as $92 million, depending on how many troops are included. The abrupt decision to look into changing the parade date came as Defense Department officials said that the event could end up costing more than $90 million and as the Pentagon emerges from years of required budget caps.
Earlier estimates said the parade could cost $10 million to $30 million, about the same as one held in Washington in 1991 at the end of the Persian Gulf war. “We originally targeted Nov. 10, 2018, for this event, but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019,” said Col. Robert Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, in a statement.
A Defense Department official, who discussed the plans on the condition of anonymity, said that the Pentagon expects to announce the total expected cost in the coming weeks. Defense Department officials said that the White House made the decision on Thursday after seeing the new proposed price tag.
While department officials said that the plans for the parade had not been finished, they allowed that the event could cost as much as $92 million, as first reported by CNBC, depending on how many troops are involved.
Previous estimates said the parade could cost $10 million to $30 million, about the same as one held in Washington in 1991 at the end of the Persian Gulf war.
Already, veterans groups were criticizing the anticipated parade as too expensive.
“Until such time as we can celebrate victory in the war on terrorism and bring our military home, we think the parade money would be better spent fully funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and giving our troops and their families the best care possible,” said Denise Rohan, the national commander of the American Legion.
Soon after he was elected, Mr. Trump and his advisers floated the idea of a parade of military convoys through Washington. The committee planning his inaugural ceremony reportedly explored, but rejected, the idea of highlighting military equipment in the traditional parade, from the Capitol to the White House, after Mr. Trump was sworn in.Soon after he was elected, Mr. Trump and his advisers floated the idea of a parade of military convoys through Washington. The committee planning his inaugural ceremony reportedly explored, but rejected, the idea of highlighting military equipment in the traditional parade, from the Capitol to the White House, after Mr. Trump was sworn in.
In July 2017 in Paris, Mr. Trump saw firsthand the full potential and grandeur of a military parade as he sat alongside President Emmanuel Macron of France and by all accounts enjoyed a Bastille Day celebration. Upon returning home, Mr. Trump told Defense Secretary Jim Mattis that he wanted a similar parade in the United States.In July 2017 in Paris, Mr. Trump saw firsthand the full potential and grandeur of a military parade as he sat alongside President Emmanuel Macron of France and by all accounts enjoyed a Bastille Day celebration. Upon returning home, Mr. Trump told Defense Secretary Jim Mattis that he wanted a similar parade in the United States.
Mr. Mattis was not enamored of the idea, according to two other Defense Department officials. But the defense secretary, who carefully picks his battles with Mr. Trump, has since gone ahead with plans in tandem with a long-running Veterans Day parade in Washington.Mr. Mattis was not enamored of the idea, according to two other Defense Department officials. But the defense secretary, who carefully picks his battles with Mr. Trump, has since gone ahead with plans in tandem with a long-running Veterans Day parade in Washington.
Those plans call for some kind of air component, including fighter jets most likely buzzing by the Capitol and troops dismounting from helicopters. How many tanks might be rolling down Washington’s potholed streets remains unclear.
But Defense Department officials indicated it is unlikely that Mr. Mattis will cut back the number of troops in a final proposed tally because Mr. Trump has been so adamant about a huge military show.