Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser says President Donald Trump’s planned military parade must come with “millions and millions of dollars” for road repairs if tanks and other heavy military equipment roll through the streets of the nation’s capital. The parade is reportedly scheduled for June 14, marking both the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Trump’s 79th birthday.
During a press conference, Bowser was asked about the possibility of military tanks moving through downtown DC. She made her position clear: “Military tanks on our streets would not be good. If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied with many millions of dollars to repair the roads.”
Bowser’s remarks follow reports that the parade would begin in Arlington, Virginia, possibly near the Pentagon, and proceed into Washington, DC. The Department of Homeland Security has already reached out to the DC special events taskforce to coordinate the logistics.
The city has pushed back on similar plans before. In 2018, Trump’s proposed military parade was canceled following objections from city officials who cited concerns about infrastructure damage and associated costs.
Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis also responded to the parade reports, saying the scope of the event remains unclear. He expressed hope that federal officials would remain “sensitive” to the concerns of veterans, especially those impacted by recent federal workforce decisions.
Despite the objections, Trump appears committed to holding the parade in recognition of the Army’s historic anniversary. Supporters view the event as a patriotic show of military strength and national pride, but DC officials are bracing for a showdown over who will foot the bill if heavy equipment damages the city’s roads.
The back-and-forth raises broader questions about federal use of local infrastructure for national displays, and the tension between federal celebration and city oversight could escalate as the date approaches.
