Trump orders for a military parade
US President Donald Trump has expressed his admiration for military parades, after reportedly being impressed by the French Bastille Day parade he witnessed last year July and has asked the Pentagon and white house officials to organise one in the nation's capital.
A military official who spoke to the Washington post on condition of anonymity said Trump at a pentagon meeting in January, attended by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Joseph Dunford, said he wanted a military parade.
"The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France, it was one of the greatest parades I've ever seen. We're going to have to try and top it" the military official said, according to the Post. "This is being worked at the highest levels of the military," the official added.
White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders confirmed the reports after the news broke. She said "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," she added
Democratic politicians have criticized the expense and said such displays are done by autocratic nation and dictators. Representative Jim McGovern tweeted "What an absurd waste of money! Trump acts more like dictator than president. Americans deserve better."
Representative Jackie Speier, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN: "I was stunned by it, to be quite honest... we have a Napoleon in the making here."
Others who have criticize the plan include retired military personnel who said the money it would cost for such parade, could be used to improve the lives of veterans or raise military wages.
Speaking to CNN, Lt Gen Mark Hertling said: "I don't know a whole lot of soldiers who like them [parades]. The military will do whatever the commander in chief asks them to do - but it's not a good idea for our military."
The last time the US had a military Parade was 1991 when then president George Bush Snr. was marking the end of the first gulf war and it was estimated to have cost US tax payers $10 million
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