REPORT: Trump’s Transition Team Considered Having Tanks, Missile Launchers at Inauguration

Donald Trump hinted earlier this week that he wanted to use his inauguration today to display America’s military strength. According to several transition officials though, there were plans to make that happen on an unusually large scale.

In an interview with Washington Post, Trump expressed interest in having military jets perform flyovers above Washington D.C. and New York. Last night, Huffington Post reported that they have spoken with organizers for the inaugural parade, who told them that Trump’s team considered featuring tanks and missile launchers at the affair.

“They were legit thinking Red Square/North Korea-style parade,” the source said.

The military typically works in tandem with the presidential inauguration committee, and they make themselves present in order to help provide coordination and security. A US Defense Department spokesperson declined to comment on the report, and even through Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn said the military would “render appropriate honors.” He deferred questions about “specific aspects” back to the Defense Department.

According to HuffPo, the military decided against featuring heavy equipment at the ceremony, citing concerns over optics and
the possibility that tanks could damage D.C.’s roads. A Pentagon spokesman says that there will be five flyovers, however, and the jets will represent each branch of the American Armed Services.

[Image via screengrab]

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