John,

Donald Trump is demanding Congress fund a massive military parade in Washington, D.C. this Saturday in honor of his 79th birthday. This taxpayer-funded spectacle of tanks, fighter jets, and soldiers marching in lockstep to glorify his administration and intimidate his critics isn’t patriotism. It’s authoritarian pageantry.

This parade will take place under the backdrop of Trump illegally ordering U.S. Marines and the California National Guard to break up anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, against the will of Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass.

It will also take place as millions of people are rallying at more than 2,000 “No Kings” Day Rallies in cities and towns across the country. (CHN Action is a proud partner—to find a site near you to join in, click here.)

We can’t allow any president to throw themselves a birthday parade at taxpayer expense, let alone an authoritarian military parade. That’s why Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) has introduced H.R. 2761, the Halting All Parades for Presidents’ Yearly Birthdays; It Risks Taxpayer Harm, Damages, And Your (HAPPY BIRTHDAY) Budget Act, to block absurd spectacles like this and protect our tax dollars from being squandered on personal glorification.

Join us in calling on Congress to pass the HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act to prevent federal funds from being used for any presidential birthday parade.

Trump’s parade this weekend will cost an estimated $45 million.¹ That’s $45 million that could go towards funding critical human needs programs that are at risk of being defunded in his budget package recently passed by the House and that the Senate plans to vote on in the coming weeks. This is certainly a waste of money—but worse, it’s a threat to our democracy.

Trump has made clear how he views dissent. He is illegally unleashing the military on those who exercise their first amendment right to peacefully protest, even saying if anyone protests his parade in Washington, DC, they will be met with “very heavy force.”² These are not the words of a leader who respects free speech. They are the threats of someone who wants to silence opposition through fear and violence.

Congress must wake up to its responsibilities and refuse to fund this authoritarian stunt.

Send a direct message to your representative, urging them to pass the HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act now.

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, CHN Action

¹ Trump’s military parade cost: Up to $45 million for D.C. march
² Trump says D.C. military parade protesters will be met with ‘very heavy force’