Trump's military parade could cost up to $30 million, Mulvaney says

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The White House may have just confirmed plans for a military “celebration,” but President Trump has been in favor of a parade to showcase U.S. military strength for quite some time.
USA TODAY

President Trump’s massive military parade could cost tens of millions of dollars, according to the White House budget director. 

During an appearance before the House Budget Committee on Wednesday to defend the administration’s $4.4 trillion budget request, Mick Mulvaney estimated the price tag for a military parade in the nation’s capital would fall between $10 million and $30 million, depending on the size, scope and length of the affair. 

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., as she assailed Mulvaney over the potential impact of the Trump budget’s cuts to social programs, asked the budget chief about Trump’s desire to hold a military parade, which she said sounds “very similar to those held in authoritarian countries like in North Korea.” 

Related: Retired Navy Seal who says he killed Bin Laden calls Trump’s military parade ‘third world bulls***’

More: D.C. politicians to Trump on military parade: ‘Tanks but No Tanks!’

More: Democrats introduce ‘PARADE’ Act aimed at Trump’s military celebration

“How much is that parade going to cost and where is that money coming from?” Lee asked. 

“We actually have had military parades in this country before,” Mulvaney pointed out. “I think we had one as recently as the 1990s or maybe more recently than that.” 

More: Trump’s military parade is not a new idea. It’s actually a retro one

Mulvaney said he had seen “various different cost estimates” that ranged between $10 million and $30 million, depending on the length. 

“Obviously, an hour parade is different than a 5-hour parade,” he said. 

Earlier this month, Trump asked the Pentagon to begin exploring plans for a “celebration” to honor the American military. 

Trump has expressed a desire for such a parade for years and was greatly impressed by the Bastille Day march he witnessed on a trip to Paris last year. 

“I want a parade like the one in France,” Trump said at a Jan. 18 meeting at the Pentagon, according to The Washington Post. 

The parade was not factored into this year’s budget request because “it’s come up at the last minute,” Mulvaney said. 

“We’ve not done much research on it yet,” Mulvaney explained. 

Our view: Let Trump parade pass us by

Opposing view: Bring military parades back to Washington

Readers on military parade: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick’

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Marine Capt. John Knight, from Fort Wayne, Ind., stationed at Cherry Point, N.C., with the 2nd Marine Division, right, enjoys the picnic for the troops on the Ellipse in Washington on June 8, 1991, with his nephew, Steven Smith, 6, from Laurel, Md. The picnic was held following the National Victory Parade. 
Bob Strong, AP

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