On Saturday, a military parade honoring the Army’s 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday will take place in Washington, D.C., showcasing America’s military power as tanks and artillery roll through the streets.
Around 7,000 soldiers are slated to march in this event. Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to line Constitution Avenue, showing enthusiasm for both the soldiers and the celebratory spectacle.
However, this grand display of military might will be met with substantial protests across the nation, highlighting deep partisan divides. Activists from a coalition of pro-democracy, labor, and liberal groups are organizing demonstrations in Washington and in all 50 states, contrasting the military celebration with their message against what they view as President Trump’s self-serving use of the occasion.
Ezra Levin, a co-founder of the progressive group Indivisible, which is part of the organizing efforts, emphasized that the goal is to counter the narrative surrounding Trump. He stated, “The goal here is to deprive Trump of what he wants in this moment, which is a story about him being the all-powerful political figure of our time.”
Levin noted that the planned protests could draw millions, with approximately 1,800 rallies anticipated nationwide, including events in every congressional district.
Moreover, the Women’s March organization is staging protests with the theme “Kick Out the Clowns,” expecting about 5,000 participants in Madison, Wisconsin alone. Tamika Middleton, the chief political and strategy officer of Women’s March, expressed her disapproval of the parade, stating, “Nothing feels more absurd than the idea of this president having a massive military parade on his birthday. It feels surreal for many of us.”
Despite the forthcoming protests, President Trump remains unfazed. He has warned that any demonstrators will face a strong law enforcement presence. Speaking from the Oval Office, he remarked, “And I haven’t even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country. But they will be met with very heavy force.”
This parade, reflective of a sensitive political climate, comes at a time when Trump is embroiled in tensions with the military over his aggressive stance on immigration enforcement in California. His administration has deployed around 700 Marines to contain protests against these measures, igniting concerns among local officials about escalating tensions.
Historically, military parades are rare in the United States, with the last significant show taking place 34 years ago after the U.S. victory in the first Gulf War.
The day’s events will commence with a festival on the National Mall, featuring soldiers engaging with the public through military demonstrations. The parade is set to begin at 6:30 PM ET, traveling down Constitution Avenue from the Lincoln Memorial to the Ellipse south of the White House. Heavy tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles will be showcased, complemented by helicopter flyovers. At a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll estimated the parade’s cost to be between $25 million to $40 million.
In justifying the expense, Driscoll referred to the event as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fill up our recruiting pipeline with young Americans.”
President Trump has previously stated that the cost is minimal compared to the value it brings. He highlighted America’s military prowess in an interview, noting, “We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest Army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it.”
Some military experts believe that such parades can be beneficial, presenting an opportunity for Americans to engage with soldiers and understand their experiences.
Kori Schake, who has held various positions in both the Defense Department and the White House National Security Council, pointed out that only 9% of young Americans express interest in military service. “Exposing more Americans to our Army, where kids can talk to soldiers about their experience, is good for the country,” she remarked.
Conversely, critics argue that this expenditure could be better directed towards programs supporting veterans and addressing their urgent needs. Various lawmakers and veterans groups have raised concerns about the funds spent on the parade while vital services for veterans have been cut.
Chris Purdy, the head of the Chamberlain Network, voiced strong disapproval of the parade expenditures, stating, “It really shows this is about an individual’s pride and not the nation’s pride.”
Rep. Adam Smith, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed that the military should not divert resources for the parade when they could be allocated for training and preparing to meet national security needs.
The allure of military parades has been long cherished by President Trump, especially after witnessing a display in Paris during Bastille Day alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Upon his return, Trump frequently expressed desire to replicate a similar spectacle in the U.S.
His Oval Office remarks framed the parade not only as a military celebration but also as a patriotic assertion, marking the day as Flag Day. He stated, “We’re going to celebrate our country for a change.”
In the lead-up to the event, he has linked the Army’s birthday celebration to his political battles, turning the focus onto Democratic opponents during speeches at military installations.
Analysts warn that intertwining the military with political agendas risks damaging its reputation and undermines democratic values. Sen. Richard Blumenthal criticized the parade by drawing parallels to totalitarian regimes, noting that such displays of military hardware are characteristic of countries like North Korea and Russia that utilize them to glorify their leaders.
As the nation anticipates Saturday’s events, the contrast between the planned military parade and the widespread protests seems emblematic of the growing ideological rifts within the country, raising critical questions about the intersection of patriotism, politics, and military display.
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