Trump Wants a July 4th Parade in Front of the White House Showcasing ‘Military Strength’

By Caleb EcarmaSep 18th, 2017, 4:29 pm
 

President Donald Trump said that he is considering holding a Fourth of July parade on Pennsylvania Avenue — or in front of the White House — showcasing America’s “military strength.”

His inspiration for a military parade came after his visit with French president Emmanuel Macron earlier this year, as he visited the country during Bastille Day festivities which tout armed service strength.

Trump explained his military parade idea at a United Nations press conference:

“At Bastille Day, one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen. It was two hours and it was military might, and I think a tremendous thing for France… Because of what I’ve witnessed, we may do something like that on July Fourth, in Washington down Pennsylvania Avenue. We’re gonna have to try and top [Bastille Day parade]… So we’re actually thinking about Fourth of July, Pennsylvania Avenue having a really great parade to show our military strength. We’re spending this year $700 billion, more than we’ve ever spent on our military.”

When Trump has voiced similar ideas in the past, many in the media criticized him for it due to the similarities such parades share with military dictatorships. However, he promised Macron he had nothing to worry about it in regards to America’s military might. “[This] is good news for you ’cause we’re friends,” said Trump to the French president.

The two met outside the UN General Assembly meetings today. Their meeting today was designed to focus on rising national security threats, including terrorism, as well as the Paris climate accord.

Watch the clip above, via CBS News.

[image via screengrab]

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Caleb Ecarma

Caleb Ecarma was a reporter at Mediaite. Email him here: caleb@mediaite.com Follow him on Twitter here: @calebecarma