Washington DC: A rare military parade was held in Washington DC to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump, drawing both patriotic praise and sharp criticism.
This marked the first time in over 30 years that tanks rolled through the capital, with around 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, 50 aircraft, and numerous artillery pieces participating. Officials had anticipated a crowd of 200,000, but poor weather reportedly reduced attendance.
Trump described the day as a moment of national pride, saying that, “We want to show off a little bit,” and saluted the troops from a viewing podium alongside First Lady Melania Trump and the Secretary of Defence.
Happy Birthday to Donald J. Trump, 45th and 47th President of the United States — a fearless patriot guiding our nation into the true Golden Age of American prosperity and strength. 🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/eqd3lAIXPS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 14, 2025
The parade featured historic uniforms, period military vehicles from WWII and the Vietnam War, and a display of M1 Abrams tanks, which required protective metal plating on DC roads. The Golden Knights parachute team opened the show and later presented Trump with the American flag.
However, the celebration was overshadowed by over 1,500 ‘No Kings’ protests across the US, including demonstrations in Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, Atlanta, Denver, Portland, and Chicago, where tens of thousands gathered.
Protesters accused Trump of behaving like an authoritarian ruler, pointing to the parade’s timing on his birthday and its resemblance to displays in Russia or North Korea. The phrase ‘No Kings’ referred to concerns that Trump sees himself more as a monarch than a democratically elected leader.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was among the critics, denouncing the event as a ‘vulgar display’ and condemning the estimated $45 million cost at a time of cuts to federal programs. Newsom accused Trump of using the military for personal glorification.
The parade idea reportedly stemmed from Trump’s admiration for France’s Bastille Day celebrations, which he witnessed in 2017.
The event concluded with fireworks over the Washington Monument, a military brass band performance, and Trump raising his fist beside passing tanks. Military helicopters like Apaches, Chinooks, and Black Hawks also participated, though cloud cover forced the fighter jet flypast to be canceled.
Protests were fueled in part by renewed national conversations about race, immigration, and power, themes magnified by recent online commentary from Elon Musk and far-right figures.
Police in Los Angeles used tear gas to disperse crowds after one protest escalated, while New York saw an estimated 200,000 participants. Despite tensions, only one arrest was reported in Chicago.
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