On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that President Trump wants the Pentagon to plan a parade to show off the country's military might. The White House has confirmed via Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders that the Department of Defense is exploring the idea. Following the emergence of this news, tweets about Trump's military parade revealed that many people are uncomfortable with the concept, with some believing that it sends the wrong message.
According to the Post, Trump has reportedly been mulling the idea of a military parade for some time. The president was supposedly inspired by the Bastille Day parade he witnessed in France back in July and, according to the Post, told military officials, " ... I want a parade like the one in France."
The paper reported that, on Jan. 18, planning for the parade was officially set in motion after Trump met with the Department of Defense's highest level officials. Huckabee Sanders emphasized to the press that parade planning is still very much in its beginning stages, saying, "President Trump is incredibly supportive of America's great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe. He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation."
As more details emerged about Trump's desire for a military parade, lots of people on social media were less than thrilled — and even disturbed — by the concept. The following tweets reflect just some of those feelings.
Irresponsible
Some believe the president has no business throwing a parade when there are more pressing concerns.
Living Under A Dictatorship
Trump's recent trajectory of behavior has troubled many Americans.
Must Defend Our Democracy
There are concerns about the authoritarian impression that the parade could give off.
"Napoleon In The Making"
Do Trump's military parade ambitions echo those of another leader?
"We Don't Elect Kings In This Country"
Republican Joe Walsh tells it like it is.
Straight Out Of Pyongyang
Coincidentally, North Korea is also planning a military parade.
Get Your Priorities Straight
The money that would be spent on the parade could go to a variety of other important Department of Defense endeavors.
When Does Congress Say No?
There are many questions around where a line should be drawn when it comes to Trump's parade.
Budgeting Confusion
There's a lot of uncertainty about how the government would even afford the parade, especially considering previous statements made by the Department of Defense about the nature of the military budget.
Don't Need Tanks To Prove Anything
There could be global image implications if Trump moves ahead with parade plans.
Overall, it is very clear that many people find Trump's military parade request highly disconcerting — and will be closely watching to see if Trump does indeed continue with his plans.
