WASHINGTON — D.C. officials are slamming President Donald Trump’s request for a military parade in the streets of the nation’s capital.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office says the White House hasn’t officially reached out yet about the proposed parade, but that the District shouldn’t have to foot the bill for the event, which reportedly would include tanks rolling down the city’s streets.
“We’re tracking media reports about the proposed parade and will have more to say when formal outreach begins,” Bowser’s communications director, Anu Rangappa, said in an emailed statement. “In the meantime, we do know that just like the wall, he will have to pay for it.”
The Defense Department confirmed Tuesday the president’s request for an elaborate military parade modeled on France’s Bastille Day celebration. No date has been set.
Many local elected D.C. leaders condemned the proposal.
Early Wednesday morning as weather-related school delays were zipping through Twitter, the account for the D.C. Council — known for its tart-tongued tweets — posted: “Sadly, the Giant Tank Parade is cancelled. Permanently,”
The DC government will open on time today.
DC Public Schools will open on time today.
Sadly, the Giant Tank Parade is cancelled. Permanently. pic.twitter.com/mQmElqs3Tt— Council of DC (@councilofdc) February 7, 2018
That post was retweeted nearly 900 times.
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton tweeted the parade would “shut down the nation’s capital and waste taxpayer dollars.”
A military parade in DC would shut down the nation’s capital and waste taxpayer dollars just to feed Trump’s ego. The way to show our service members and veterans that we appreciate their service is to use the parade money to fund their health care and other services they need.
— Eleanor H. Norton (@EleanorNorton) February 7, 2018
Several other D.C. Council members also voiced their opposition on Twitter.
Military parade down the streets of DC to feed an insecure man’s fragile ego? That’d be a big no.https://t.co/NHoiIEjj7e
— Charles Allen (@charlesallen) February 7, 2018
I didn’t support Trump’s first walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, and I certainly don’t support this. https://t.co/cRksPZH6Dp
— Elissa Silverman (@tweetelissa) February 7, 2018
Despots call their opponents traitors and treasonous. And despots like military parades. A military parade in our District of Columbia is not part of our country’s democratic ideals https://t.co/Mj94Q9SnCj
— Phil Mendelson (@ChmnMendelson) February 7, 2018
