Republicans just took a big step toward giving Trump his massive military parade through Washington
- Republicans are gearing up to authorize a large military parade in Washington, DC, for President Donald Trump.
- The provision will allow Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to determine what equipment can be used.
WASHINGTON - Republicans are attempting to ensure that President Donald Trump will get the massive military parade through the streets of Washington that he has long desired, according to a summary of the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act.
The annual defense bill, slated for release on Monday afternoon, will include language that will provide for a parade "to honor and celebrate 100 years of patriotic sacrifice in a way that expresses appreciation and admiration for our men and women in uniform, including a parade in the nation's capital and a national celebration for that purpose," according to a summary released by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry.
Republicans are billing the parade as a grand homage to America's veterans and servicemembers, but also one that would double as a show of force to adversarial countries like Russia.
Thornberry "thinks at this point in history - 100 years after the Armistice when the world order that has been built largely by the service and sacrifice of veterans of past wars is under pressure from countries like Russia and China - this is an appropriate moment to acknowledge their service," a Republican aide told Business Insider.
But what kind of equipment will be paraded through the capital is unclear. Under the framework outlined in the bill, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will have authority to prohibit the use of "operational units or equipment" if he deems it at all a burden that would threaten military readiness.
"It talks a little about stuff that's traditionally used in parades," the aide said. "But as for anything more, [Thornberry] leaves it to the secretary's discretion to make sure that readiness restoration remains the department's priority."
The GOP aide added that the Department of Defense regularly uses funds for ceremonies and similar events, making them "well-versed in these functions."
"What the chairman is comfortable with is veterans. Of course you're gonna see a 21-gun salute, you're gonna see firing of cannons, and things like that - that's OK - that's traditional ceremonial function," the aide said. "What we don't wanna see are tanks rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue."
Trump has been fascinated by the idea of a large US military parade ever since his trip to Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron hosted him for Bastille Day celebrations.
Trump remarked to the New York Times in an interview that "it was one of the most beautiful parades I have ever seen. And in fact, we should do one one day down Pennsylvania Ave."
If the annual NDAA makes its way through, Trump may get most of what he has hoped for in terms of a grand military display in Washington.