US Army 250 Year Celebration Strikes Controversy
President Trump celebrated the US Army’s 250 year anniversary on Saturday, June 14. He was on Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC, admiring the armored vehicles displayed on the roads. However, many were strongly against Trump’s abuse of the nation’s power, believing that the parade contradicted US norms. Thousands of protestors from around the country showed up in peaceful demonstrations.
The celebration of this anniversary took inspiration from the Bastille Day parade President Trump attended in Paris 8 years ago. Every year on July 14, the parade honors the French military. Despite their seemingly clean intention, these sorts of Military parades are to show national power and international intimidation. The thousands of soldiers armed with deadly weapons marching in the streets give people a scare. These traditions commonly occur in dictatorship countries such as North Korea or Russia. Many military parades have been held in North Korea since 1948. The United States government is a democracy.
Historical pieces such as military artillery from the World Wars were displayed in the Parade. Many of our modern day weapons also showcased our power.
As the parade was broadcasted, 2,000 protests occurred on the streets around the country. People disliked Trump’s use of military force in California. Our president’s decision to send the National Guard and Marines to LA a week ago worsened his reputation. Protestors went by the slogan “No Kings.”
In states from Texas to Indiana, people crowded roads fighting for their own beliefs. After last week’s rough demonstrations in Los Angeles with tear gas and other weaponry, another series of violence begins. Protesters in downtown LA faced chemical irritants from the police. Many are extremely unhappy.
Another controversy was that President Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday on parade day. Although he rejects all wrong intentions of his birthday celebration clashing with the military anniversary, many still suspect he was using his power to celebrate himself.
He spent a whopping 45 million dollars on this event.
Donald Trump argues against people questioning the money spent claiming it’s, “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.” Thousands of posts on social media, mocked Trump’s use”fail” of the grand parade.