White House Allegedly Pressed Navy to Use 2,000-Pound Live Bombs for Trump's 250th Anniversary Celebration

WASHINGTON – The White House reportedly pressured U.S. Navy officials to deploy 2,000-pound live bombs instead of dummy explosives during an elaborate military demonstration for the Navy's 250th anniversary celebration, which President Donald Trump attended. This claim emerged from a report by Aamer Madhani, Konstantin Toropin, and Lisa Mascaro, as highlighted in a recent tweet by Toropin. The event, held in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 5, was originally planned to feature inert munitions.Sources familiar with the planning indicated that White House officials insisted President Trump "needed to see explosions" rather than merely a "big splash" during the demonstration. This alleged directive led Navy planners to alter their detailed safety protocols to accommodate the use of live ordnance. The Navy typically utilizes dummy bombs for such demonstrations due to their lower cost and enhanced safety.Despite the allegations, the White House maintained that no change was made from original plans. Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated, "Organizers always planned to use live munitions, as is typical in training exercises." The shift to live bombs necessitated a wider dispersal of guided-missile destroyers in the waters off Norfolk to ensure safety during the event.The incident is seen by some as part of a broader pattern where the Trump administration sought to align military events with the president's preferences for grand displays of military might. President Trump has frequently expressed his admiration for military pomp and pageantry, reportedly inspired by France's Bastille Day parade. This celebration occurred amidst a government shutdown, which had sent nonessential federal workers home without pay.Further scrutiny arose following a separate live-fire demonstration at Camp Pendleton on October 18, where a misfire caused shrapnel to spray onto Interstate 5. While no injuries were reported, the incident prompted a letter from California's congressional delegation to the Defense Secretary, questioning the safety planning for such events. At the Navy celebration, destroyers fired various guns and missiles, and aircraft performed strafing runs, with some missiles costing approximately $2 million each.