Trump’s Military Parade Canceled?

Rain may dampen President Trump’s military parade planned for Saturday in Washington, D.C., and Army officials are preparing for potential weather disruptions, especially lightning. Army spokesperson Steve Warren told The Times that while rain alone wouldn’t stop the event “the tanks don’t melt,” he said lightning would pose a safety risk to the crowd. In that case, officials could be forced to disperse attendees or even cancel or postpone the parade altogether.

The National Weather Service is forecasting showers and a possible thunderstorm in the evening, just as the parade is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. The route runs along Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street NW near the Lincoln Memorial to 15th Street NW near the Washington Monument.

The parade coincides with Flag Day and the Army’s 250th anniversary, which also happens to fall on Trump’s 79th birthday. He sees the event as a dramatic display of American military strength. Planning has been underway for months and includes approximately 7,000 soldiers, more than 100 aircraft, and dozens of tanks, missiles, and rocket launchers.

Crews have been busy setting up security fencing around the White House and constructing a viewing stand on the Ellipse where Trump will watch the parade. One of the centerpiece moments is scheduled to feature Army parachuters landing and presenting Trump with a folded American flag. Following that, he is expected to oversee a mass re-enlistment ceremony involving 250 service members. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display.

The Army has allocated a $45 million budget for the event, with about one-third of that designated for street repairs due to damage from heavy military equipment. That figure does not include additional security costs covered by the Secret Service.

The parade has drawn criticism from opponents who view it as overly political, especially given Trump’s push to feature military hardware and align the celebration with his birthday. Detractors have compared the display to events typically seen under authoritarian regimes. Trump has expressed interest in hosting a military parade ever since attending France’s Bastille Day celebration in 2017.