In a stark illustration of America’s mounting political and cultural divisions, Saturday’s military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary coincided with President Donald Trump’s birthday, prompting widespread protests nationwide.
The event, which saw tanks and armored personnel carriers roll through Washington, D.C., drew critics who viewed it as an alarming politicization of the military apparatus by the Trump administration.
Protests against the parade emerged under the banner “No Kings,” with demonstrators rallying in cities across the nation to voice their discontent with what they perceived as an authoritarian display by the president.
The contrasts between the celebratory atmosphere of the parade and the protests taking place just 33 miles away in Annapolis were striking, resembling a journey between two entirely different realities.
In Annapolis, crowds gathered in front of the historic Maryland State House with signs proclaiming: “RESISTING THE CROWN SINCE 1776” and “I’M A VETERAN, NOT A SUCKER OR A LOSER,” a response to derogatory comments attributed to Trump regarding American war dead.
John Wells, a retired economist statistician aged 76, conveyed his support for the U.S. Army but expressed disdain for the parade itself.
“It’s outrageous. We’re not in Russia or North Korea… or China. That’s the thing they do,” Wells remarked, criticizing the exorbitant price tag of the D.C. parade, estimated to be between $25 million and $45 million.
Speakers in Annapolis included representatives from labor unions, immigrant advocacy groups, and even a George Washington reenactor.
Randy Goldberg, a retired nurse portraying Washington, delivered a historic speech where he resigns his military command, which resonated with attendees, highlighting a contrast to Trump’s consolidation of power.
Goldberg’s rendition evoked Washington’s spirit: “I retire from the great theater of action… I hereby offer my commission and leave all the employments of public life,” he articulated, as spectators broke into applause.
The protesters’ core message was rooted in the legacy of Washington, who voluntarily relinquished his military power, contrasting it with Trump’s decision to use military hardware in a parade setting.
President Trump downplayed critics’ concerns during the D.C. event, asserting, “Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time that America did, too.”
While the event was framed as a celebration of the Army’s history, it resembled a militaristic birthday bash reminiscent of a recruiting display rather than a traditional parade.
Historically, such spectacles of military might were infrequent, with the last significant display occurring in 1991, after the First Gulf War.
Amid the pageantry, Trump’s administration has faced scrutiny, especially regarding its impact on the nation’s democratic principles.
Critics argue that the president’s actions signify a troubling encroachment on the balance of power as they seek to define patriotism in opposition to Trump’s administration.
Protest speakers emphasized that dissent is an act of patriotism, with Donna Edwards, president of the Maryland State & DC AFL-CIO, asserting, “We have to own the flag. No one can tell us that we’re not patriots… We’re fighting for America.”
Meanwhile, the celebration in D.C. attracted a diverse crowd, comprising many military families, including immigrants from countries like Ecuador, El Salvador, and Vietnam.
In a festival-like atmosphere, attendees donned flag-themed clothing and relaxed on the grassy expanse near the Washington Monument, with upbeat music filling the air.
As tanks rolled down Constitution Avenue, military personnel engaged with the enthusiastic crowd, pumping their fists while the announcer acknowledged corporate sponsors, including Lockheed Martin and Palantir, which highlights a troubling intersection of corporate interests and governmental events.
The staging of the parade aligned with the muscular image that President Trump has often sought to project.
Post-parade, Trump received a folded U.S. flag, a ceremonial gesture typically reserved for the families of fallen soldiers, emphasizing the blend of celebration, reverence, and political symbolism.
Many parade attendees, including some who openly declared they did not support Trump politically, dismissed any insinuation that the event bore authoritarian overtones.
19-year-old Dennis Connelly, wearing patriotic attire, maintained that Trump operated “completely [within] the law” and criticized those who labeled him a dictator.
His perception of Trump resembled admiration for a powerful leader capable of bending norms, explaining, “It’s kind of like those high school bullies. … And I just think that’s wonderful.”
Connelly expressed aspirations to serve in the Marines, yet he also voiced concerns about certain policies, notably highlighting potential risks associated with ICE agents donning masks, which he argued could allow for impersonation.
While the paradegoers largely showcased support for the Army and respect for military service, their exit at parade’s end merged them with the protesters from the No Kings demonstration.
As attendees streamed onto Constitution Avenue, the two sides came within half a block of each other. Protest signs decried Trump with messages such as, “Trump is a Tyrant.”
The once-celebratory atmosphere transformed into a strong visual representation of the deep divides within the nation, reflecting a populace often divided and unable or unwilling to engage in conversation with one another.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/16/nx-s1-5434337/army-military-parade-no-kings-protests-president-trump-divided-america
