Meeting with President Emmanuel Macron of France on Monday, President Trump stated his intention to hold a military parade in Washington, D.C., come next July 4.

Trump’s idea was apparently inspired by his attendance at France’s Bastille Day parade earlier this summer. Trump described that event as “military might, and a tremendous thing for France and for the spirit of France.”

He’s right, and I believe the same would be true for the United States.

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees. Spokeswoman for the liberal advocacy group, MoveOn, Karine Jean-Pierre summed up the intelligentsia opinion by tweeting “God help us.” Regardless, Jean-Pierre’s words speak to a sustaining theme of incredulity from elites: they’re reacting as if Trump had just suggested that he intends to visit Jupiter next year.

Don’t get me wrong, I recognize that President Trump’s authoritarian tendencies are troubling and that he partly wants a parade in order to receive the salute of thousands of military personnel. Nevertheless, I support a military parade for two reasons.