In a surprise, US military parade announced by Trump cancelled
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WASHINGTON – A military parade requested by US President Donald Trump that had been planned for November in Washington has been postponed until at least next year, the Defence Department said .
“We originally targeted November 10, 2018 for this event but have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019,” Defence Department Spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said in a statement.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it was unclear exactly what caused the postponement but the increased cost of the event had caused concern and could be one reason.
The parade to honour US military veterans and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One could cost more than $90 million, the US official said, citing provisional planning figures that were nearly three times an earlier White House estimate.
The official said the cost estimate of about $92 million had not yet been approved by Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and could still be changed and more options could be included.
In February, Trump asked the Pentagon to explore a parade in celebration of American troops, after the Republican president marvelled at the Bastille Day military parade he attended in Paris last year.
Earlier this year, the White House budget chief said the parade would cost US taxpayers between $10 million and $30 million.
