8/17/2018

DEFENSE/HOLIDAY/MILITARY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump announced Friday [8-17-18] that he has canceled plans for a military parade in Washington, and ignited a feud with the D.C. mayor after accusing ‘local politicians’ of price gouging…CNBC reported Thursday [8-16-18] that the expected cost of Trump’s planned parade had ballooned to $92 million, significantly higher than previous estimates of $12 million and $30 million. Shortly after CNBC published its reporting, the Pentagon announced that the parade had been postponed. The Defense Department did not offer a reason for the change of plans but said it had ‘agreed to explore opportunities in 2019.’ Trump initially ordered the Defense Department last February to begin the process of planning a military parade, to be held in Washington on Veterans Day, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. The president, who has long been publicly obsessed with generals and shows of military might, first suggested a U.S. parade after attending the Bastille Day parade in Paris last summer.”

Louis Nelson and Stephanie Murray, “Trump cancels military parade, feuds with D.C. mayor over ballooning cost,” Politico, August 17, 2018 2:23 pm