Thousands of soldiers, sumptuous expenses … What is this military parade in Washington, on the day of Trump’s 79 years? – release

When Thousands of soldiers intervene in the streets of Los AngelesOn the other side of the United States, Washington will be the scene of a rare military parade on Saturday, 14 to Sunday 15 June. The parade is supposed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American army, but also falls on the day of Donald Trump’s birthday.

The US capital starts up for the occasion and hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected, while disputes rise against the policy of the Republican president. Liberty Take stock of this event which could crystallize tensions across the Atlantic.

In Washington, under the lookout of its obelisk, it is along emblematic monuments, from Lincoln Memorial to the White House, that will parade from 6.30 p.m. (00:30 in Paris) nearly 7,000 soldiers, some on horseback, many in uniforms of different wars, and some 150 military vehicles, overflown by fifty aircraft. Paratroopers must give an American flag to Donald Trump, the commander -in -chief of the American army.

The sky, announced stormy, may however come and play the spoilsports. Without dismissing potential changes in the event of violent bad weather, « A historical celebration of our soldiers will take place anyway », Ensures the White House.

It has been over thirty years since the capital of the United States had not hosted a major military parade. The last dates back to 1991, at the end of the Gulf War. At the time, 8,000 soldiers who participated in The « Storm of the desert » operation – Military operations against Iraq between January and February 1991 – had walked in the streets of the American capital. About 200,000 spectators were massaged to see them.

It is the Parisian parade of July 14 On the Champs-Elysées, to which he attended in 2017, who inspired Donald Trump. « It was military power and a great thing, I think, for France »then estimated the magnate. « We will have to try to do better. » However, his project had not materialized during his first mandate, especially due to exorbitant costs at stake. That on Saturday is estimated at maximum $ 45 million (or 39 million euros) by the US military. « Clopinettes compared to the value » From such an event, let go of the billionaire president on the NBC channel in May.

Not embarrassed by questions about the concomitance of this parade with his birthday, on June 14, Donald Trump revels in advance from this demonstration of strength and pomp as he likes them. « We’re going to look a little bit », He jubilant Tuesday, when he already cleared a few weeks ago on the subject: “We have the best missiles in the world. The best submarines in the world. The best tanks in the world. The best armament in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it. « 

In parallel, the national mobilization will be held « No Kings » against « Authoritarianism » And « The militarization of democracy » American,, which aims to be the most important since the return to power of Donald Trump. Nearly 2,000 rallies are identified across all the United States, from Los Angeles to New York, including Chicago.

« If there are demonstrations, he will be answered with great strength », warned Donald Trump on Tuesday, before being nuanced by the White House: « The president is of course favorable to peaceful demonstrations. »

The Republican President has deployed in Los Angeleswithout consultation with the local authorities, nearly 5,000 soldiers, reservists of the National Guard and even Marine. His way of responding to manifestations against Brutal immigrant arrests which have broken out in recent days in the second largest city in the United States, a movement punctuated by sporadic, sometimes violent clashes. California attacked this deployment in court.

On the front line of those who protested against this extremely rare shipment of soldiers, the Democratic Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, sees it « The crazy fantasy of a dictatorial president ». In Washington this Saturday, « He will force our heroes to participate in a vulgar spectacle to celebrate his birthday, as other fallen dictators have done so in the past. »