Don’t Tread on DC: Why Trump’s Military Parade is Problematic for America and for Racial Justice
The last time the Army marched in the streets of Washington, D.C., the United States Capitol was under siege. In today’s times, it is the people who are under siege by an authoritarian president.
After the deadly insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, residents of our nation’s capital became quite familiar with the military’s presence, regularly witnessing soldiers with automatic weapons patrolling streets and sidewalks. It was a city under lockdown — a city terrified of further political violence, but a city that needed military support as a direct response to the seditious actions of violent election deniers.
Now, President Donald Trump is back in the White House and Washington, and the city’s streets will be filled with soldiers once again. But nothing about this show of force is necessary in this moment.
This time, in stark contrast to the military being deployed to protect the residents of the nation’s capital, President Trump has ordered an expensive military parade masquerading as a Flag Day celebration, supposedly to “honor” the holiday commemorating the adoption of the official United States flag by the Continental Congress in 1777. In reality, this parade is a thinly veiled demonstration of military might designed to celebrate one entity — President Trump — on his birthday, flagrantly displaying wealth, excess, and unilateral power in a way that’s emblematic of the autocrats he so often says he admires — and not at all in line with what America stands for.
Instead, this parade reflects the true nature of this administration: it employs draconian and inhumane budget cuts, suppresses peaceful protests against injustice, and develops harmful policies that undermine racial justice progress and our very democracy.
So why is this parade not only an irresponsible idea, but a direct insult to the ideals of our nation?
Displays of militarization are often a threat to America’s most marginalized groups.
History shows us time and again that launching a military presence into the streets, especially in a way meant to amplify its weaponry and power, is deeply harmful to Black people and other marginalized groups.
Moreover, considering the measures this administration has already taken to weaken the political power of marginalized communities, especially within the military, the parade could serve as a reminder that these communities are standing on a knife’s edge with this administration.
Additionally, President Trump’s recent directives deploying the National Guard and Marine Corps to Los Angeles to respond to protests against inhumane federal actions constitute another example of the threat the administration poses to marginalized communities. Protesters are taking a stand against the administration’s sweeping effort to criminalize migrants, especially migrants of color, and the administration is weaponizing federal resources to quell dissent and intimidate them. Similarly, this parade will utilize federal resources and showcase violent wartime weapons, likely further stoking fear among marginalized communities.
Authoritarianism has no place in this country, nor do emblems of autocracy, like leader-focused military parades that are often hallmarks of dictatorships.
The United States is a democracy, and democratic values form the cornerstone of the American dream. Donald Trump is an elected president — not a king or a dictator. This parade reeks of authoritarianism, and the U.S. military imitating displays of power from regimes often reviled in American culture — like dictatorships that rely on military force to remain in power — should be met with horror, not celebration.
Indeed, this president and his administration are increasingly demonstrating a dangerous affinity for using the military to implement their domestic agenda, which is again highlighted by the recent deployment of troops to Los Angeles to suppress peaceful protests and enforce anti-immigrant objectives.
Moreover, given its focus on honoring Trump and its inconsistency with how America historically honors service members (and commemorates Flag Day), the parade is another example of Trump’s obsession with exercising and amplifying executive power, to the detriment of all Americans. America was designed to be governed by the people, not ruled by an autocrat.
The cost of this parade — at up to $45 million — is astronomical and takes funds directly away from the American people. It's the epitome of wasteful and reckless conduct, especially at a time when so many Americans are struggling financially.
The parade is not only extremely wasteful; it’s comically hypocritical. Since its inception, the Trump administration, through its Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, has been recklessly cutting federal programs, staff, and services that support everyday Americans. Notably, these programs have a disproportionate impact on Black people and communities, and the effort to dismantle them is having profoundly negative effects. This parade sends a clear and deeply concerning message about this administration's priorities: funding programs that benefit, educate, and feed Americans is unacceptable. But spending millions of American tax dollars on a birthday parade that will span eight blocks is completely above board.
They’re taking food from the shelves, books out of schools, and money from your wallets, but they will be sure to put tanks in your streets. Make it make sense.
Trump’s military parade will destroy D.C.’s infrastructure, damaging the city many Black people have long called home.
The parade is expected to cause up to $16 million in damage to Washington, D.C.’s streets due to the weight of the military tanks. Forcing residents, who have yet to gain D.C. statehood or congressional representation, to endure this damage and the subsequent repair process — and making the city fund repairs upfront and wait for reimbursement — is selfish and disrespectful.
Black communities have long borne the cost of infrastructure investments and repairs within D.C. without reaping the rewards of these efforts, as the money rarely targets areas with significant Black populations.
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At the end of the day, a sensationalized display of military firepower fails to help Black communities or any others.
It will ravage our capital’s streets and needlessly spend millions of dollars when Americans are enduring immense financial struggles. It also lays bare the horrifying truth that authoritarianism is currently wearing the disguise of our democracy.
Don’t tread on D.C. America’s power has always lied with its people — and one thing is certain: They will not tolerate a king.
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