The National Mall in Washington, D.C. has been transformed into a secured area as preparations ramp up for the military parade hosted by President Donald Trump. This spectacle, designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, coincides with the president’s birthday on Saturday night.
Security measures include miles of fencing and concrete barriers, as the Secret Service anticipates hundreds of thousands of attendees eager to witness military hardware and soldiers parading through American streets. The event has been a long-standing ambition of President Trump, inspired by a military march he witnessed during a Bastille Day celebration in Paris during his first term.
Expected costs for the parade range from $25 million to $45 million, depending on any potential damage inflicted by the heavy military equipment on Washington’s roads.
As the day of the parade approached, the Mall was turned into a festival area where visitors could take pictures next to tanks, jeeps, and other military vehicles. However, navigating the extensive security barriers proved frustrating for many, with uncertainty about where the festival ended and the parade route began.
In this festive environment, merchandise was available for purchase, including shirts emblazoned with the phrase “The Big, Beautiful Military Parade,” referencing the spending bill recently championed by President Trump in Congress.
Among the parade attendees was Paul Brown, a 57-year-old Army veteran from Ohio, who expressed his enthusiasm for the event. Clad in a shirt that read, “Jesus is my savior. Trump is my president,” he shared his perspective as someone who served from 2010 to 2016. Brown, who deployed to Afghanistan for nine months, argued that honoring those in the military is essential and that the parade showcases a commander-in-chief who cares.
“It’s the best thing in the world,” he stated, adding that the parade represents not just a historical moment but also a declaration of strength to nations observing the event.
The parade, anticipated to feature dozens of U.S. aircraft, hundreds of military vehicles, and thousands of soldiers, will culminate in a large fireworks show. Onlookers could see uniformed and plainclothes officers rehearsing their march through the city, heightening expectations for the event.
However, the extent of President Trump’s involvement remained uncertain due to an escalating crisis in the Middle East involving Israel and Iran. While various counter-protests are scheduled around the country in response to the parade, the White House affirmed its commitment to allow peaceful demonstrations.
Protest organizers have stated their events, labeled “No Kings,” are aimed at countering what they consider a “made-for-TV display of dominance” on the president’s birthday. The group’s online message asserted that true power does not originate from Washington, D.C., but from grassroots movements across the country.
This announcement of a peaceful demonstration stems from previous controversies surrounding the administration’s responses to protests, such as federalizing the National Guard in California during immigration protests. A California federal judge recently ruled that President Trump violated the law in doing so, as the action seemed to infringe upon First Amendment rights.
This ruling, however, was put on hold by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals while further litigation takes place.
Alongside the parade preparations, D.C. streets were shut down, causing significant detours for tourists and residents amidst the oppressive heat and humidity typical for this time of year.
The weather on the day of the parade posed its own challenges, with forecasts predicting thunderstorms and potentially dangerous conditions. Despite concerns about cancellation due to lightning, President Trump took to social media, reassuring the public that, “OUR GREAT MILITARY PARADE IS ON, RAIN OR SHINE. REMEMBER, A RAINY DAY PARADE BRINGS GOOD LUCK. I’LL SEE YOU ALL IN D.C.”
Leading up to the festivities, signs of protest began to emerge around the Mall. One sign affixed to a utility box declared, “Immigrants are not the enemy,” while another issued a protest against fascism. In addition, an individual on a bicycle drew attention by holding a sign labeling the president as a “creep” and “unfit.”
Given the political climate, security measures were heightened. These protocols have become routine in the aftermath of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021, which raised serious concerns about public safety in Washington.
As a former participant in the January 6 insurrection, Jeanette Mangia, 46, returned to the National Mall on Saturday. Having faced multiple charges from her involvement that landed her in jail for seven months, she shared her complicated feelings about her return to the location.
Sporting a “Trump 2028” hat, Mangia expressed her hope for President Trump’s potential candidacy in the future, saying she believes he remains the
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-06-14/trump-military-parade-washington
