The Army is set to celebrate 250 years with a parade that coincides with Trump’s birthday

By LOLITA C BALDOR Associated Press WASHINGTON AP The massive military parade that President Donald Trump has long longed is set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday evening with tanks bands and thousands of troops And the biggest question marks are whether it will be overshadowed or delayed by either the weather in Washington or planned protests elsewhere around the country Falling on Trump s th birthday the parade was added just a sparse weeks ago to the Army s long-planned th anniversary celebration It has triggered criticism for its price tag of up to million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets The Army has taken a variety of initiatives to protect the streets including laying metal plates down along the path People walk in between measure fencing and concrete barricades toward a large photograph of President Donald Trump and President Abraham Lincoln draped on the USDA building Friday June on the National Mall in Washington AP Photo Jacquelyn Martin The daylong display of America s Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use his fighting forces in strategies other U S presidents have typically avoided inviting an array of lawsuits and accusations that he is politicizing the military He has deployed the California National Guard and U S Marines to provide measure during Los Angeles protests tied to immigration raids It marks the first time in years that a president activated the National Guard on federal orders inside a state without a governor s permission and California Gov Gavin Newsom has filed a lawsuit to stop the deployments Earlier in the week Trump raised eyebrows during a speech at Fort Bragg when members of the nd Airborne Division were directed to stand behind Trump and they booed and cheered during his incendiary remarks including condemnation of his predecessor Joe Biden There also was a pop-up Make America Great Again merchandise stand nearby selling souvenirs to troops in uniform The Defense Department has a doctrine that prohibits troops from participating in political activity while in uniform Members of Congress and military leaders have expressed concerns about the political displays during the speech at Fort Bragg Trump so far has shrugged off concerns about the parade cost the rainy forecast and the possible for protests What a day it will be Trump wrote on his social media site adding later that he hoped the weather would cooperate but that if it doesn t that brings you good luck That s OK too Doesn t matter Doesn t affect the tanks at all Doesn t affect the soldiers They re used to it They re tough Smart Related Articles Thousands expected at No Kings protests across Colorado as tensions over immigration mount Trump s newest moves liability politicizing the military which has long strived to stay above politics Marines take over selected shield in LA while cities across US prep for No Kings rallies Trump administration gives personal evidence of immigrant Medicaid enrollees to deportation functionaries Judge blocks Trump s electoral process executive order siding with Democrats who called it overreach As for the protests he warned that they will be met with very big force The No Kings rallies planned in hundreds of cities nationwide are meant to counter what organizers say are Trump s plans to feed his ego on his th birthday and Flag Day No protests are scheduled to take place in Washington D C however and agents have explained they so far have no indication of any guard threat About in Americans say Saturday s parade is not a good use of ruling body money including the vast majority of people who neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Masses Affairs Research The parade will wind down Constitution Avenue which is already lined with protection fencing and limitations Army helicopters and aircraft will fly above and the march will be capped off by a parachute jump a concert featuring God Bless the U S A singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks Preparations continue on Constitution Avenue ahead of an upcoming military parade commemorating the U S Army s th anniversary that coincides with President Donald Trump s th birthday Friday June in Washington AP Photo Julia Demaree Nikhinson With rain expected there is a chance the parade could be interrupted by thunderstorms White House spokesperson Anna Kelly has mentioned the march will go on rain or shine But it could be delayed if there is lightning with administration quick to empty the expansive National Mall if it happens during major events The parade fulfills Trump s expressed desire for a big parade that he tried to get done in his first presidential term after seeing one in France on Bastille Day in Trump noted that after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs- lys es he requested an even grander one on Pennsylvania Avenue The Army expects as multiple as people could attend the festival and parade The festival will begin around a m EDT and feature fitness competitions demonstrations equipment displays music and a cake-cutting ceremony Army SSG Jason Craig from left Army Sgt Blake Oakley Army st Lt Lukas Nicoloff Army st Lt Michael Ramirez and Army st Lt Sean Buck lift a weighted worm as they practice ahead of the Army Fittest Squad competition Friday June by the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Washington during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Army s th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump s th birthday AP Photo Jacquelyn Martin The parade is set to begin at p m EDT but parts of it including the horse-drawn caissons and other units start at the Pentagon head over a bridge and meet up with chosen of the heavier tanks and equipment Leaders did not want the more-than- -ton M A Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles transiting the bridge Timed down to the minute the march will be divided into sections by history with equipment and troops in full dress from each period It will include a total of soldiers and Army tanks armored personnel carriers and artillery while aircraft fly overhead At the end of the parade Trump will swear in new or reenlisting troops and the Army s Golden Knights parachute club will jump onto the Mall That will be followed by the concert and fireworks Associated Press writers Michelle L Price and Tara Copp contributed to this account