Tanks and armored vehicles arrived in Washington for the parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, scheduled for June 14, the same date as Donald Trump‘s 79th birthday.
Around 20 Abrams tanks, M2 Bradley fighting vehicles, M109 Paladin artillery systems, along with 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft, and more than 6,500 troops are expected to participate. Videos of the heavy weaponry are circulating on social media.
The estimated cost of the event could reach $45 million, according to officials who chose to remain anonymous. These figures do not include Washington city expenses, which will likely cover debris cleanup and street repairs caused by the weight of the armored vehicles. Critics argue that the ceremony is a waste of public resources and an authoritarian display of force, especially at a time when the Trump administration is implementing cuts to the federal budget.
The parade also contrasts with protests taking place in California, where Trump has called for the deployment of regular troops to quell demonstrators. According to him, the situation in Los Angeles is out of control, with clashes reported in areas such as City Hall, Paramount, Compton, and the Metropolitan Detention Center. Police have used rubber bullets and tear gas to suppress the unrest.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @PenguinSix | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
VIDEO: Tanks on the streets of Washington DC last night as the Army 250th Parade nears. pic.twitter.com/7YQUVkdBZc
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) June 10, 2025
