Mark your calendars: Donald Trump is getting the military procession he’s been wanting. Slated for June 14, the event is expected to feature 6,500 troops, 150 military vehicles, 50 helicopters, and a hefty support system composed of multiple law enforcement officers and city maintenance staff working overtime. The taxpayers are expected to foot the $45 million bill for this demonstration of might.
Despite its hefty cost, the average men and women in uniform participating in the event, hailing predominantly from the working class, won’t see any of this hefty sum. Instead, they’ll be housed at a nearby airbase, sleeping on cots and eating freeze-dried military rations known as Meals Ready to Eat (MREs). For perspective, the multi-million dollar sum spent on this individual event could fund hundreds of millions of meals for America’s hungry children.
Simultaneously, Trump’s ‘Big Billionaire Bill’ proposition aims to cut funds allocated to Medicaid and clean energy efforts. As these changes unfurl, the choice of date for the military parade isn’t accidental. June 14 not only signifies Flag Day, but also marks 250 years since the US Army’s establishment, adding further layers of patriotic sentiment to the proceedings.
Ironically, June 14 also aligns with Trump’s 79th birthday, intertwining a sense of extreme patriotism with deep-rooted personal celebration. This move seems contrary to traditional democratic principles within capitalist economies, which generally include an element of ‘civilian control’ to ensure that the military isn’t leveraged as an extension of executive power.
Trumps approach feels more in line with authoritarian traditions where military parades are tools of power projection, serving to deter opposition both foreign and domestic. Instances of Trump using the armed forces to further his political agenda are becoming increasingly apparent. From culture war issues to military interference, the model seems to focus on blurring the lines between the military and the executive.
Exemplifying this meddling in armed forces is his move to address a group of soldiers pre-parade, carefully chosen based on their political loyalties. Veterans, however, appear to see past the theatrics. Polls indicate around 70% of veterans are in opposition to the parade, recognizing it for the show it is rather than authentic appreciation.
It’s worth noting that the last military procession in Washington DC took place in 1991, commemorating the end of the Gulf War. Today, Trump is leading a different kind of war—a trade war—with the purpose of destabilizing China’s export-oriented economy and encouraging a split between the world’s two superpowers.
Historically, economic conflicts have often been precursors to traditional warfare. The upcoming parade seems to hint at potential preparations — rallying the support of the public for a possible future conflict with China. Bringing the average American onboard with the extreme implications a war with China and its allies might have will be a demanding task that needs a systematized influence strategy from capitalist institutions.
The ruling class knows the challenges they are facing. The bipartisan Commission on the National Defense Strategy acknowledges that a recent poll demonstrated a decrease in Americans feeling patriotism is vital, down to 38% from 70% in 1998. Additionally, recruitment trends for the Army, Navy, and Air Force have been on a steady decline for years.
The working class can be prepared for the entire US political machine to fan the flames of national pride, patriotism, and fear of China in the foreseeable future. Protests across the nation have already been scheduled for June 14.
But stopping an uncertain Trump 2.0 requires not just mass protests but also robust, clear demands that resonate with the needs and wants of the everyday worker. A strategic plan to achieve these challenges is crucial to sustain any potential movement.
A manifesto that appeals to the working class should demand an end to ICE deportations and all imperialist wars, as well as significant cuts to the overblown military and border defense budgets. With the savings from these cuts, the government could finance free universal health care, improvements to public education, and affordable high-quality housing for all citizens.
In the end, the ultimate check to heightened nationalism may require an internationally oriented socialist program rooted in working-class solidarity. Standing up against the rigged system requires coordinated and persistent action, and a clear vision of equity and justice for all.
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