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| Trump tells Pentagon to plan military parade in Washington | Trump tells Pentagon to plan military parade in Washington |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| US President Donald Trump has asked the Pentagon to organise a large military parade in the nation's capital. | US President Donald Trump has asked the Pentagon to organise a large military parade in the nation's capital. |
| The president made the request of top military chiefs in late January, after reportedly being impressed by a French Bastille Day parade last year. | The president made the request of top military chiefs in late January, after reportedly being impressed by a French Bastille Day parade last year. |
| Military displays in Washington DC are usually only used to mark victory at the end of a war. | Military displays in Washington DC are usually only used to mark victory at the end of a war. |
| Democrats compared the plan to displays of military might organised by autocratic nations. | Democrats compared the plan to displays of military might organised by autocratic nations. |
| The plan was first revealed by the Washington Post, before being confirmed by the White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders. | The plan was first revealed by the Washington Post, before being confirmed by the White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders. |
| "President Trump is incredibly supportive of America's great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe," she said. | "President Trump is incredibly supportive of America's great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe," she said. |
| "He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation." | "He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation." |
| The Pentagon is now looking at the details of the event, though one White House official told the Washington Post plans were still at a "brainstorming" stage. | The Pentagon is now looking at the details of the event, though one White House official told the Washington Post plans were still at a "brainstorming" stage. |
| US media linked the plan to Mr Trump's admiration for a military parade he attended in Paris in July last year. | US media linked the plan to Mr Trump's admiration for a military parade he attended in Paris in July last year. |
| The occasion, marking 100 years since America entered World War One, saw troops march down the Champs-Élysées, accompanied by dozens of military vehicles, flyovers of military aircraft, and traditional mounted cavalry. | The occasion, marking 100 years since America entered World War One, saw troops march down the Champs-Élysées, accompanied by dozens of military vehicles, flyovers of military aircraft, and traditional mounted cavalry. |
| "It was one of the greatest parades I've ever seen," Mr Trump later said. "We're going to have to try and top it." | "It was one of the greatest parades I've ever seen," Mr Trump later said. "We're going to have to try and top it." |
| Does everyone like the idea? | Does everyone like the idea? |
| Democratic politicians have criticised the plan as expensive and said such ideas carry worrying symbolism. | Democratic politicians have criticised the plan as expensive and said such ideas carry worrying symbolism. |
| "What an absurd waste of money!" tweeted Representative Jim McGovern. "Trump acts more like dictator than president. Americans deserve better." | "What an absurd waste of money!" tweeted Representative Jim McGovern. "Trump acts more like dictator than president. Americans deserve better." |
| Representative Jackie Speier, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN: "I was stunned by it, to be quite honest... we have a Napoleon in the making here." | Representative Jackie Speier, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told CNN: "I was stunned by it, to be quite honest... we have a Napoleon in the making here." |
| "It's really a waste of money, and I think everyone should be offended by his need to always be showy... it's not our style, it's not the way we do business." | "It's really a waste of money, and I think everyone should be offended by his need to always be showy... it's not our style, it's not the way we do business." |
| How unusual is this? | How unusual is this? |
| Such parades are rare in the United States and most Western countries, and are more commonly associated with nations such as North Korea. | Such parades are rare in the United States and most Western countries, and are more commonly associated with nations such as North Korea. |
| Speaking to CNN, Lt Gen Mark Hertling said: "I don't know a whole lot of soldiers who like them." | Speaking to CNN, Lt Gen Mark Hertling said: "I don't know a whole lot of soldiers who like them." |
| "The military will do whatever the commander in chief asks them to do - but it's not a good idea for our military." | "The military will do whatever the commander in chief asks them to do - but it's not a good idea for our military." |
| "It is not in the culture of the United States military - that is not who we are... there shouldn't be, in my view, a whole lot of chest-thumping and these over means of showing how tough you are." | "It is not in the culture of the United States military - that is not who we are... there shouldn't be, in my view, a whole lot of chest-thumping and these over means of showing how tough you are." |
| The US has largely reserved such ceremonies for the end of major conflicts. | The US has largely reserved such ceremonies for the end of major conflicts. |
| The last such parade through Washington DC was in June 1991, when President George Bush Snr celebrated the end of the Gulf War. |