On Saturday, President Donald Trump’s long-desired grand military parade made its way down Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC, featuring tanks, soldiers, and a 21-gun salute. This event coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday and came despite widespread protest across the country, where demonstrators accused the US leader of acting like a dictator or a monarch. During the parade, Trump watched from a special viewing stand near the White House as more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks showcased American military strength, despite the early light rain and dark clouds overhead. This parade was a fulfillment of Trump’s ambition that began after he witnessed a similar event in Paris in 2017 and became part of the celebrations for the Army’s 250th anniversary.
Before the parade, demonstrations took place nationwide under the banner “No Kings,” aimed at criticizing Trump for his use of military forces against those protesting his deportation efforts and for conducting a grand military display in the US capital. Anti-war protesters in Washington displayed signs reading “Homes not drones” near a military equipment exhibit honoring the Army’s birthday, with some selling Trump merchandise. Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who supported Trump, attended the Army’s 250th birthday celebration but commented that the parade “was a little over the top,” indicating its bold message to the world.
The parade’s addition to the Army’s birthday celebration just a few weeks prior has been criticized for its up to $45 million cost and the potential damage to city streets from the tanks, with the Army taking steps to protect the infrastructure. This display of America’s Army comes as Trump has shown a readiness to use the country’s military might in ways previous presidents have avoided, such as activating the California National Guard without the governor’s consent and deploying the US Marines to secure Los Angeles during immigration protest-related actions, leading to a legal challenge from the state.
In Los Angeles, a peaceful demonstration quickly turned chaotic when police, including those on horseback, charged the crowd, using force to clear the area in front of the federal building. After tear gas and crowd control measures were employed, demonstrators were ordered to disperse but many refused. The situation escalated with the Marines making their first appearance at a demonstration since being deployed to the city on Friday, tasked with defending federal property. Federal troops, including the Marines, and other law enforcement faced off against hundreds of protesters, who urged them to leave. This tense standoff highlighted the ongoing tensions over immigration policies and the use of military force to manage civil unrest.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/2025/06/15/trump-hosts-military-parade-for-us-army-anniversary-amid-no-kings-protests-across-the-coun
