Last July, President Donald Trump watched the Bastille Day military parade in Paris and told President Emmanuel Macron he hoped to plan a similar parade in the United States. On Tuesday, the White House confirmed that Trump asked the Pentagon to begin planning the spectacle, and Defense Secretary James Mattis said officials are exploring options to present to the president.

The announcement has stirred up controversy among many veterans, who say the event wouldn’t honor them, it would only serve to honor Trump. Other veterans have backed the president, saying it would drum up more support for the military.

Many lawmakers, scholars and leaders have called the plan undemocratic, frivolous and un-American.

We’ll discuss the controversy with Robert Bateman, who spent 25 years as a soldier in the Army. He was an Airborne, Air Assault, Infantry ranger for the first half of his career. Later, he was a strategist for commanding generals in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

We’ll also discuss Trump’s political strategy with Jake Novak, a senior editorial columnist for CNBC.com.

GUESTS:

Robert Bateman, former Army soldier in the Army and strategist for commanding generals in both Iraq and Afghanistan

Jade Novak, senior editorial columnist for CNBC.com