The U.S. Army celebrated its 250th anniversary on Saturday with a significant military parade in Washington, D.C. This display of American military strength coincided with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and came against a backdrop of political division and nationwide protests.
Trump has long envisioned such a showcase of military might, having been inspired by the grand Bastille Day parade in France during his presidency in 2017. Despite the potential for inclement weather, with storm clouds looming, the parade proceeded as scheduled.
Featuring a wide array of military equipment, the event displayed dozens of armored tanks, artillery vehicles like HIMARS, and a multitude of army aircraft, including Black Hawk helicopters and Apaches. Over 6,000 uniformed troops participated, along with historical uniforms and vehicles that illustrated the evolution of America’s military history. Among the participants were 34 horses, two mules, and a Blue Heeler named Doc Holliday.
As a spectator, Mike Davis, a 30-year Army veteran, expressed his support for the event, stating that a military parade was overdue. “The last time we’ve had a military parade of any sorts, I recall, is the Gulf War,” he remarked. While he acknowledged the protests that overshadowed the celebration, he emphasized the importance of First Amendment rights.
The cost of the parade was estimated between $25 million and $45 million, covering logistics and potential road repairs due to heavy military vehicles traversing city streets.
President Donald Trump was keen on hosting a parade during his first term, but plans were shelved due to budget concerns. In his closing remarks at the parade, he praised the Army as the “greatest, fiercest and bravest fighting force” in the world, underscoring the significance of American military achievements.
“The Army keeps us free, you make us strong, and tonight you’ve made all Americans very proud,” Trump stated. He went on to add, “Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too. That’s what we’re doing tonight.”
Post-parade, Trump received a folded American flag, a gesture usually reserved for the families of fallen soldiers, emphasizing the patriotic nature of the event. Despite this, the parade faced mounting criticism, predominantly from Democratic lawmakers. They labeled the event self-indulgent, accusing Trump of misusing public funds and militarizing the nation’s armed forces for personal gain.
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California condemned the display as an inappropriate use of military power and a signal of Trump’s control over the armed forces, particularly given his administration’s cuts to veterans’ benefits.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized the spectacle, equating it to the displays typically associated with autocratic regimes, stating, “It’s a vulgar display. It’s the kind of thing you see Kim Jong Un, you see Putin, you see with dictators around the world that are weak.”
While the parade unfolded in the nation’s capital, nationwide protests under the banner of the No Kings movement also took place, echoing sentiments against the perceived politicization of the military. Estimates indicated that over 5 million people participated in more than 2,000 planned protests across various cities.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, police in Culpeper, Virginia, reported an arrest linked to an individual who drove his vehicle into a dispersing crowd. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported, illustrating the challenges faced by demonstrators.
In Philadelphia, a central hub for the protests, tens of thousands participated, as organizers highlighted the city’s foundational link to American freedoms and ideals. Joel Payne, a spokesperson for MoveOn, noted the importance of Philadelphia as a protest site.
Ezra Levin, co-founder of the nonprofit Indivisible and a No Kings coordinator, described the atmosphere during the protests as joyful and vibrant, praising the peaceful expression of First Amendment rights.
Texas also saw a significant turnout, with protests taking place in Dallas among more than 60 planned events, according to reports. In Alaska, the theme encapsulated local culture, with messages centered on wildlife: “The only king I want is king salmon,” a statement highlighted by local media.
Some protestors expressed feelings of unease about the potential repercussions of their activism, with certain individuals opting to deactivate their phones and refrain from posting on social media, fearing a crackdown on dissenting voices. One protester, Ali Schoenberger, articulated a palpable sense of concern regarding a perceived vendetta against individuals voicing opposition to the administration.
Margo Ross, a protester from Watsonville, California, echoed similar fears, articulating her belief that America is experiencing a form of increasing authoritarianism, saying, “I am completely terrified of what’s going on in our country. I believe from the beginning it’s been a coup and a fascist overthrow and I keep thinking, ‘Well, it can’t get worse.’ And then it gets worse and worse.”
In a separate incident, U.S. Capitol Police arrested 60 protesters on Friday evening, following chaos as demonstrators attempted to breach barriers and approach the Rotunda steps. Those arrested are set to face charges related to unlawful demonstration, including assault on law enforcement and resisting arrest.
The No Kings protests were organized by a coalition comprising over 200 groups, including MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the American Federation of Teachers. Notably, protests were not planned in Washington, D.C., where the military parade was held, demonstrating a diverging focus between celebration and dissent in American society.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/15/nx-s1-5433765/3-takeaways-from-the-military-parade-and-no-kings-protests-on-trumps-birthday
