Keep Factually independent

Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.

Loading...Time left: ...
Loading...Goal: $500

Fact check: Did Joe Biden ever officially request a military parade during his presidency?

Checked on June 18, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the comprehensive analysis of multiple sources spanning from 2018 to 2025, there is no evidence that Joe Biden ever officially requested a military parade during his presidency. All nine sources analyzed fail to provide any documentation or mention of Biden making such a request [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9].

Interestingly, the sources reveal that Biden actually opposed military parades before his presidency. In 2018, Biden criticized Trump's military parade proposal, stating it "undercuts everything about our power" [1]. The sources consistently show that military parade requests and celebrations were associated with Donald Trump, not Biden, including a grand military parade planned for the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary [2] [9].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important historical context about Biden's documented opposition to military parades. Biden's 2018 criticism of Trump's military parade proposal demonstrates a philosophical stance against such displays [1]. This context is crucial because it suggests Biden would be unlikely to request something he previously criticized.

The sources also reveal that military parades during the relevant timeframe were Trump-initiated events, including celebrations tied to military anniversaries and recruiting purposes [2] [9]. Military contractors, defense industry lobbyists, and political figures who benefit from displays of military strength would have financial and political incentives to promote such events, but the evidence shows these came from Trump's administration, not Biden's.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and factual in its phrasing. However, the question could potentially be misleading by implication - it might suggest that Biden did request military parades when the evidence shows the opposite. The question format could be used to spread misinformation if answered without proper context about Biden's documented opposition to such displays [1].

The complete absence of any supporting evidence across nine diverse sources, combined with Biden's historical criticism of military parades, strongly indicates that any claim that Biden requested military parades would be false. Political opponents or misinformation campaigns might benefit from creating confusion about Biden's actual positions on military displays versus his predecessor's well-documented parade requests.

Want to dive deeper?
What is the cost of hosting a military parade in the United States?
Which presidents have requested military parades in the past?
What is the purpose of a military parade in the context of US politics?
How does the Pentagon respond to presidential requests for military parades?
What was the controversy surrounding Donald Trump's proposed military parade in 2018?