TRUMP’S COSTLY MILITARY PARADE: THE CEREMONIAL BIRTH OF AMERICAN FASCISM
QUICK READ: While Trump’s over-the-top military parade—a made-for-TV display of dominance on his birthday and the ceremonial birth of American fascism—takes place in Washington, D.C. on June 14, Americans in the rest of the country will be celebrating No Kings Day, a nationwide day of defiance that rejects authoritarianism and shows the world democracy in action. Our Members of Congress must amplify this difference every way they can.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
On June 14, Trump will finally get his wish to celebrate his birthday like a dictator because, unlike last time, the generals are silent and the military’s politicization is well underway.
At the same time, Trump and his lackeys are preparing to waste $45+ million of taxpayers’ money on this deeply dangerous military display and its clean-up costs, DOGE’s cutting veterans’ services, benefits, and jobs. Trump’s and MAGA’s Murder Budget Bill would further slash billions from the VA, causing longer wait times and diminished care for PTSD, suicide prevention, and chronic conditions; privatize VA healthcare; freeze or restructure disability and pension payments; purge tens of thousands of veterans from the federal workforce; and undermine the military’s nonpartisanship.
The over-the-top war parade, which will force Vietnam veterans to relocate their annual ceremony from DC, includes 28 tanks rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue, lines of missiles on display, 50 helicopters, 6,700 armed soldiers walking in lockstep, 34 horses, 2 mules and a dog complete with a descending parachute team hand delivering him an American flag birthday gift. This display of might, before a president who already behaves like a dictator and views the military as his personal foot soldiers, intended to intimidate opponents and solidify his image as a strongman, necessarily elicits comparisons with the worst totalitarian regimes—the Soviet Union, North Korea, China, Iraq, and Nazi Germany.
If this parade goes forward, June 14, 2025 may mark the ceremonial birth of a new American fascism. We must all fight to prevent this, inside Congress and on the streets.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
MI appreciate the work you are trying to do to protect our democracy and fight against Trump’s fascist agenda. Today, I ask you to join us between now and June 14th to talk up the No Kings events, reiterate that there are no kings in America, and draw attention to Trump’s abuses of power by holding demonstrations on the capitol steps, speaking on social media, and protesting in the streets. We also need you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I appreciate the work you are trying to do to protect our democracy and fight against Trump’s fascist agenda. Today, I ask you to join us between now and June 14th to talk up the No Kings events, reiterate that there are no kings in America, and draw attention to Trump’s abuses of power by holding demonstrations on the capitol steps, speaking on social media, and protesting in the streets. We also need you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Trump's over-the-top military parade is a massive waste of money, politicizes the military, and is reminiscent of the behavior of the worst totalitarian regimes--the Soviet Union, North Korea, China, Iraq, and Nazi Germany. As your constituent, I expect you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I appreciate the work you are trying to do to protect our democracy and fight against Trump’s fascist agenda. Today, I ask you to join us between now and June 14th to talk up the No Kings events, reiterate that there are no kings in America, and draw attention to Trump’s abuses of power by holding demonstrations on the capitol steps, speaking on social media, and protesting in the streets. We also need you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Trump's over-the-top military parade is a massive waste of money, politicizes the military, and is reminiscent of the behavior of the worst totalitarian regimes--the Soviet Union, North Korea, China, Iraq, and Nazi Germany. As your constituent, I expect you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
Script for Maxine Dexter (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I appreciate the work you are trying to do to protect our democracy and fight against Trump’s fascist agenda. Today, I ask you to join us between now and June 14th to talk up the No Kings events, reiterate that there are no kings in America, and draw attention to Trump’s abuses of power by holding demonstrations on the capitol steps, speaking on social media, and protesting in the streets. We also need you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I appreciate the work you are trying to do to protect our democracy and fight against Trump’s fascist agenda. Today, I ask you to join us between now and June 14th to talk up the No Kings events, reiterate that there are no kings in America, and draw attention to Trump’s abuses of power by holding demonstrations on the capitol steps, speaking on social media, and protesting in the streets. We also need you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
Script for Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I appreciate the work you are trying to do to protect our democracy and fight against Trump’s fascist agenda. Today, I ask you to join us between now and June 14th to talk up the No Kings events, reiterate that there are no kings in America, and draw attention to Trump’s abuses of power by holding demonstrations on the capitol steps, speaking on social media, and protesting in the streets. We also need you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I appreciate the work you are trying to do to protect our democracy and fight against Trump’s fascist agenda. Today, I ask you to join us between now and June 14th to talk up the No Kings events, reiterate that there are no kings in America, and draw attention to Trump’s abuses of power by holding demonstrations on the capitol steps, speaking on social media, and protesting in the streets. We also need you to take whatever steps available to prevent taxpayer money from funding this fascistic military parade and to point out the hypocrisy of gutting veterans’ services while forcing servicemembers to satisfy his ego.
FURTHER READING
Action Guide: Taking Down the MAGA Murder Budget
The Republican Middle Class Betrayal: The Republican Budget in Your District
A Few Thoughts on the Bill Republicans Just Passed
Republicans take Backroom Dealing to a New Level with Changes to the Reconciliation Bill
What you need to share about the “one big beautiful” ugly horrible bill
‘Cruel’ Republican SNAP Cuts Spell Economic Catastrophe for Families, Farmers, and State Budgets
Republicans are on tax offensive for team rich
Trump and Musk Families Could Save Billions From Republican Tax Plans
The hidden details in the GOP reconciliation bill
Ten Sneaky Sleeper Provisions in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
“One Big Beautiful Bill” Risks 50% Higher Power Prices, Energy Supply Crisis
