Washington is gearing up for an extraordinary display of military might on Saturday with a parade and festival to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Army — a day that’s also President Trump’s 79th birthday.

The event has drawn fire for its expected cost as well as its timing, with critics deeming it another example of how Trump has politicized the armed forces. Trump has maintained that the parade is well worth the cost, predicting a boost in Army recruiting.

The parade will be followed by a concert and fireworks, and will be streamed live by The Hill starting at 6 p.m.

Here are five things to know.

Hefty price tag draws criticism

The Army has estimated the parade will cost $25 to $45 million, although that doesn’t include costs for cleanup, police, and damage to city streets.

Six in 10 adults in a nationwide AP-NORC poll conducted between June 5 and June 9 said that the parade was not a good use of government funds. However, 40 percent of people approved of Trump’s decision to hold a parade, a larger proportion than the 29 percent who disapproved.

A few Republicans have joined Democrats in publicly criticizing the cost and necessity of the parade. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) raised concerns last week following a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said he wouldn’t have held the parade.

“We’re a lion, and a lion doesn’t have to tell you it’s a lion,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said on Tuesday. “I would save the money, but if the president wants to have a parade, he’s the president, and I’m not.”

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has been the most outspoken Republican against the plans, telling reporters this week he’s “never been a big........

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