President Trump has given his marching orders — instructing the Pentagon to make his dream of a military parade come true on Veteran’s Day, according to a new report.
The commander-in-chief wants the Nov. 11 procession to begin at the White House and end at the Capitol, according to Politico, which was given a summary of a Feb. 20 memo on the subject sent from National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster to Secretary of Defense James Mattis.
The memo notes that the president wants Mattis to advise him on “concepts of operation” for the event, according to Politico.
The concept has come under fire from some veterans and lawmakers — especially after White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney revealed last week that the parade could cost taxpayers $10 million to $30 million.
But Trump has been champing at the bit for a massive US military procession after taking part in France’s grand Bastille Day Parade last year, saying: “It was one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen,” and that, “We’re going to have to try to top it.”
A Quinnipiac University poll released this week found 61 percent of voters disapprove of the parade, while only 26 percent support the idea. A majority of Republican respondents approved, however — with 58 percent in favor versus 24 percent against.