The White House confirmed a report that President Donald Trump was interested in a military parade to celebrate the Armed Forces.
“President Trump is incredibly supportive of America’s great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement to reporters. “He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation.”
The Washington Post first broke the news citing a military official who said that the president gave “marching orders” to military officials to come up with ideas similar to the military parade in France for Bastille Day. Trump attended the French parade in July 2017.
The president was impressed by the show of military prowess, referring to the spectacle during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in New York in September.
“It was one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen,” Trump marveled at the time, adding, “Because of what I witnessed, we may do something like that on July 4th in Washington, down Pennsylvania Avenue. I don’t know. We’re going to have to try and top it.”