Washington bracing for tanks, weaponry for Trump's military parade

Military tanks from Fort Cavazos, Texas, have arrived in Maryland and will be transported to Washington, DC, for the US Army's 250th anniversary celebration on 14 June, which also marks President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

More than two dozen M1 Abrams tanks are scheduled to parade down Constitution Avenue near the White House. This procession was not originally planned as part of the Army's official events, according to Bloomberg.

The tanks will be joined by many infantry fighting vehicles, heavy artillery, and around 6,600 soldiers, while helicopters fly overhead.

The cost of the Army's celebration, which has been in planning for two years, has risen to between $25 million and $45 million. 

This does not include expenses that Washington, DC, will cover—such as trash cleanup, street closures, and security—while the city still awaits federal help to fix a $1.1 billion budget shortfall caused by Congress.

Military officials estimate street repairs alone could cost over $16 million, as tanks and other heavy vehicles may damage the roads.

After concerns from DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Army officials promised to cover any repair costs, though no written agreement exists. To reduce damage, the Army is fitting the tanks' tracks with new rubber padding and placing metal plates where the tanks will turn.

Security measures will include 18.5 miles of anti-climb fencing, concrete barriers, and 175 metal detectors. The US Secret Service will also use drones for surveillance and law enforcement.

The event will disrupt regional travel, with extensive road, highway, and bridge closures lasting several days. All flights from Ronald Reagan National Airport will be suspended on Saturday evening during flyovers and fireworks.

Democratic lawmakers have criticised the parade as an expensive vanity project, accusing Trump of using the Army's anniversary to celebrate himself with public funds.

Trump responded Monday, saying, "I'm not celebrating my birthday. I'm celebrating Flag Day," referring to the holiday commemorating the US flag's adoption on 14 June, 1777. 

Meanwhile, his administration is pushing to cut government spending.

Supporters like Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll argue the parade will boost military morale and recruitment.

Large military parades are rare in modern US history and are often associated with authoritarian regimes. The last major military parade in Washington was over 30 years ago.

Trump's insistence on bringing tanks to the capital has drawn comparisons to authoritarian governments such as Russia, North Korea, and historically, Nazi Germany. 

When Trump first proposed the parade in 2017, a US general bluntly told him such displays are "what dictators do."

This weekend's celebration occurs as Trump tests the limits of his executive powers, deploying California's National Guard and Marines to respond to immigration raids in Los Angeles, despite opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom, who is now challenging the move in court.

Trump, who previously said during his campaign that he would use the military for domestic policy and to eliminate what he called "the enemy from within," said Monday he would arrest Governor Newsom.