Trump Military Parade Features 7,000 Soldiers, Costs $45M in Washington

President Trump is organizing a $45 million military parade in Washington, DC, to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday. The event, confirmed only six weeks prior, will feature 7,000 soldiers, more than 60 aircraft, synchronized flyovers, processions of tanks, historical reenactments, and a performance by singer Lee Greenwood. Trump is expected to address the crowd from a custom viewing stand and receive an American flag from a parachutist, with the ceremony concluding with fireworks. The parade has sparked controversy and security concerns, especially following Trump's recent deployment of 700 marines and 4,000 California National Guard troops to quell protests in Los Angeles without the state governor's permission, raising constitutional questions. Additionally, an allegedly fake Craigslist ad sought to recruit paid seat fillers to enhance the parade's perceived attendance, though its authenticity remains unconfirmed. Critics argue the parade and recent military actions risk politicizing the armed forces and infringing on civil rights.