BURSTSix in 10 said the military parade in Washington, D.C., is “not a good use” of government money, according to a new survey.
In The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey, 60 percent called the military parade this weekend to mark 250 years of the U.S. Army “not a good use of government funds.” Meanwhile, 38 percent said the opposite about the parade in the survey, while 1 percent “skipped” responding or refused to answer.
Washington is bracing for the large military parade, which falls on President Trump’s 79th birthday. The president has a history of being fascinated with ostentatious military displays, and some of his critics have brought up concerns about both the cost and optics.
“We’re going to have a big, big celebration, as you know, 250 years,” Trump said on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump’s military parade and festivities could cost between $25 million and $45 million, according to the Army. Reagan Washington National Airport has also said it will close during the Army’s Saturday celebration.
“To accommodate aircraft flyovers along the parade route, followed by a fireworks display, the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to suspend airline operations at DCA — affecting scheduled flights,” an alert on the airport’s website read.
The AP-NORC survey took place June 9-15, polling 1,158 people and with plus or minus 4 percentage points as its margin of sampling error.