Findings

Congress finds the following: (1) Military parades are traditionally reserved for national celebrations, commemorations of military service, or significant public occasions, not personal milestones such as birthdays. (2) A military parade previously considered in President Donald J. Trump’s first term was canceled due to cost concerns, including costs to the military of $92 million and public safety costs to the District of Columbia of over $21 million. (3) Heavy military vehicles risk causing damage to District of Columbia roads, which are not designed to support such weight, requiring taxpayer-funded repairs. (4) President Trump has conducted mass layoffs and firings in the Federal Government through the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” under the guise of “saving taxpayer money”. (5) The District of Columbia is often not fully reimbursed for expenses incurred during Federal events, placing an undue financial burden on local agencies and taxpayers. (6) The Washington City Paper reported that President Trump has expressed interest in holding a military parade in the District of Columbia on June 14, 2025, as a personal birthday celebration. (7) While June 14, 2025, is the United States Army’s 250th birthday and Flag Day, it is also President Donald J. Trump’s 79th birthday. (8) The U.S. Army has never held a military parade to celebrate its own birthday, and the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration has been in the planning stages for several years with no plans for a parade in the District of Columbia. (9) It is unlikely that President Trump will include an air, sea, or terrestrial extravaganza to celebrate the birthdays of the other military branches, further highlighting the personal nature of the proposed celebration.