1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent $45 million military parade held in Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2025 — an event that coincided with former President Donald Trump's birthday. While the parade was framed as a celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, its timing, tone, and scale suggest a troubling use of public funds for political and personal glorification. As a constituent, I believe this kind of display sets a dangerous precedent. Military power should not be used as a stage prop for individual leaders, especially in a democracy founded on civilian rule and the separation of personal ambition from national duty. Many Americans, myself included, are alarmed by the growing normalization of authoritarian-style behavior in our political culture. Events like this echo the tactics of regimes that prioritize personal image and pageantry over the substance of governance and respect for public resources. They also divert attention and funding away from pressing needs — from veterans' care and infrastructure to education and healthcare. I respectfully urge you to take a stand: Investigate and account for the use of taxpayer dollars in this parade. Support legislation that limits the use of federal funds for personal political events. Speak out against authoritarian rhetoric and misuse of military symbolism in political theater. Our democracy depends on leaders like you who are willing to uphold its norms and defend the public interest.