First on CNN: President Trump’s military parade in DC is expected to cost $12M according to US officials, nearly as much as the now canceled military exercise with South Korea, Freedom Guardian, which Trump called “tremendously expensive” & said cost “a fortune” (est. cost $14M)

— Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) July 18, 2018

Makes perfect sense: any normal thinking person sees the point of a large military to be preparedness for defense or projecting power, with that preparedness discouraging attacks. That’s why you spend a lot of money on training and joint exercises with allies, both to BE prepared and to DEMONSTRATE that preparedness.

Trump sees the military as his own personal honor guard, so it has to be big and shiny and be used for parades, not getting all dirty staying prepared.

Same thing with having troops and bases stationed abroad. It demonstrates preparedness while putting the troops where they need to be in case they need to respond.

Trump? Well, if they’re in Germany or South Korea, they’re not here to parade for him!