Meteorologists warn about the threat of lightning for the time it is expected Parade about 6 thousand soldiers, 50 helicopters and 150 armored vehicles for the capital, before the gaze of thousands of spectators.
It is not the first time that Trump has bad luck with the weather: The cold temperatures forced to celebrate their investiture for a second mandate, in January, in a closed space and to cancel a parade.
That the US capital houses a great military parade is unusual. The last one took place in 1991, at the end of the Gulf War.
Suspended flights, navigation on the Potomac River interrupted, almost 30 kilometers of fences: Washington will be paused for the occasion.
The White House promised that the “historical celebration” of the 250th anniversary of the creation of the US army It will be held even with “changes” due to the weather.
¡Whatever happens, a historical celebration of our military will be held!, The spokeswoman for the White House, Anna Kelly told AFP.
The Armed Forces and the América 250 commission, responsible for organizing the parade, did not answer the AFP questions.
Trump’s detractors also have plans for that day, with hundreds of demonstrations in cities from all over the United Statesalthough not in Washington.
Protests, baptized kings nogive the alarm about what they consider a growing authoritarianism.
“Show a little”
This parade is celebrated days after Trump sent National Guard reservists and Los Angeles To suffocate protests.
“We want to show off a little“With the parade, Trump acknowledged on Tuesday during a visit to a military base. And promised to react” force “if the protesters interfere.
The Army states that the act It could cost up to US $ 45 million.
Almost 7 thousand soldiers will participate, some on horseback, many with uniforms from different eras, and about 150 military vehicles, fly over about fifty planes.
They will parade by the mall, the immense green esplanade in the heart of the US capital, and They will end near the White House.
Next, it is expected that Paracharidists deliver a national flag to Donald Trumpthe commander in chief.
“We believe in democracy”
The act takes place Flag Day, But it also coincides with Trump’s birthday.
Fascinated for a long time by the military pomp, Trump has openly envied military shows of cities such as Paris, Moscow and Pionyang from their first term (2017-2021).
The Republican wanted to organize one after attending a parade in Paris, at the invitation of French president Emmanuel Macron in 2017.
“One of the greatest parades I’ve seen,” he said shortly after. “For what I witnessed, We could do something like that “.
They discouraged him for the cost (some US $ 92 million) and the possibility that tanks damage the streets of Washington.
But, upon his return to the White House in January, Trump did not let himself dissuade.
The army states that some Metal plates will protect the roads.
It is possible that this type of military exhibitions remain uncommon in the United States.
“We were founded by a Group of merchants and tired farmers that an army permanently invades its streets under the pretext of maintaining its safety, ”Peter Loge, director of the Media School at George Washington University, told AFP.
“We have always belittled,” he added, “the great military parades in Russia, in the Red Square, or in North Korea, because we are not like that. We are Americans and we believe in democracy, not in the military demonstrations of force.”