Washington is bracing for a massive military parade in the coming weeks, ostensibly to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary. But President Trump’s presence is likely to loom large over the proceedings for a variety of reasons.

The parade falls on the same day as his 79th birthday. He has a long-held fascination with ostentatious military displays. And the president’s critics have raised concerns about both the cost and the optics at a time when Trump is facing accusations that he is ruling akin to a dictator.

It’s a manifestation of an idea Trump mused about during his first term but that never quite came to fruition.

“We're going to have a big, big celebration, as you know, 250 years,” Trump said Monday at Arlington Cemetery, speaking broadly of plans to celebrate the anniversary of the country’s founding. “In some ways I'm glad I missed that second term where it was because I wouldn't be your president for that.”

The military parade is expected to overtake parts of the nation’s capital on June 14 to mark 250 years of the U.S. Army. It will feature thousands of service members, dozens of military vehicles and an overall cost of up to $45 million, according to military officials.

Service members in town for the event will stay in government facilities, such as a Department of Agriculture building. There will be a fitness competition on the National Mall. The main parade will take place........

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