Trump Apparently Wants a Massive Military Parade. 'What's Next, Portraits of Dear Leader Everywhere?'

Citing France’s Bastille Day celebration in July—a “dramatic show of pageantry” featuring thousands of French troops and dozens of military jets—U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that he would like the United States to put on a massive display of “military might” on Independence Day, a proposal commentators immediately portrayed as evidence of Trump’s affinity for authoritarian displays of force.

“Strong countries don’t do that. Only weak, insecure leaders feel the need to… oh crap. That’s us now, isn’t it?”
—Nicholas Grossman”What’s next, giant portraits and murals of the Dear Leader everywhere?” asked Garry Kasparov, chairman of the Human Rights Foundation.

French President Emmanuel Macron laughed when Trump expressed his desire to “top” France’s military festivities during a meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, but the U.S. president appeared to be quite serious about wanting to put on “a really great parade to show [the U.S.’s] military strength.” The parade, Trump suggested, would march down Pennsylvania Avenue.

“I think we’re looking forward to doing that,” Trump said. “I’m speaking with [retired general and Chief of Staff John Kelly] and with all of the people involved.”

Watch Trump’s remarks:

Trump has long expressed his love for military spectacles—and his desire to put on such a show with his name attached to it.

As the New York Times notes, Trump’s inaugural committee considered “the idea of highlighting military equipment in his inaugural parade.” 

“That military may come marching down Pennsylvania Avenue,” Trump said ahead of his inauguration.