Thousands of soldiers, armored tanks, military vehicles, and aircraft marched past US President Donald Trump in a grand display marking the 250th anniversary of the US Army. The parade, held on Saturday in Washington, was the country’s largest military exhibition in decades and coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday.
While the event aimed to highlight American military power, it also sparked outrage among citizens nationwide, as thousands gathered to protest under the banner of “No Kings,” denouncing authoritarianism and calling for the defense of democracy and immigrant rights.
Historic display of US military strength
The parade, moved forward due to an approaching thunderstorm, featured nearly 7,000 troops and around 150 military vehicles. These included more than 25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored vehicles, and several self-propelled artillery units like the M777 and M119 howitzers.
Military units from different historical periods took part, offering a chronological journey of the Army’s past, beginning with the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Lexington. The crowd also witnessed vintage military equipment, including a World War I Renault tank, B-25 Mitchell bombers, P-51 Mustang fighters, and a C-47 Skytrain aircraft.
Modern helicopters, such as the UH-60 Black Hawk, AH-64 Apache, and CH-47 Chinook, soared above Washington’s skies, while the final leg of the parade showcased the Army’s future. West Point’s band led cadets from Texas A&M, the Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, and fresh recruits undergoing basic training.
Trump hails America as ‘hottest country in the world’
During a brief speech following the military spectacle, Trump celebrated the Army’s legacy and warned potential adversaries.
“Time and again, America’s enemies have learned that if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you,” he declared.
He described the United States as the “hottest country in the world” and praised the military’s relentless pursuit of victory. “They fight, fight, fight, and they win, win, win,” Trump stated. His supporters sang “Happy Birthday” and erupted in chants of “USA! USA!”
‘No Kings’ protests erupt nationwide
While the president reviewed military formations in Washington, thousands took to the streets in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago in defiance of his leadership. Organized under the “No Kings” movement, protesters accused Trump of authoritarian tendencies and demanded accountability.
The protests, among the largest since Trump’s return to office, remained largely peaceful. However, tensions spiked in Los Angeles as police used gas, flash bangs, and non-lethal weapons to disperse crowds just before a citywide curfew. Authorities reported some demonstrators threw fireworks, bottles, and rocks. Several protesters wore gas masks and helmets, pledging to stay despite the crackdown.
Earlier, a group clashed with Marines guarding a federal building in LA, chanting, “Shame! Shame!” and “Marines, get out of LA!”
Protesters criticize parade’s symbolism
Anti-Trump groups coordinated nearly 2,000 demonstrations across the country. Outside Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and even in Paris, protestors rallied against what they viewed as a glorification of military power.
“I think it’s disgusting,” said Sarah Hargrave, a 42-year-old protester in Bethesda, Maryland, describing the parade as “a display of authoritarianism.”
In Washington, protestors brandished signs with slogans like “No Fascist USA” and “No Kings.” A giant puppet of Trump—wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet—captured the mood of many critics.
Organizers had avoided staging major demonstrations in Washington to prevent drawing more attention to the parade, though several groups still gathered in symbolic resistance.
Violence adds to political unrest
As the protests unfolded, news broke of a targeted shooting in Minnesota that killed former state speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. Another legislator and his spouse were injured and hospitalized. Trump condemned the incident, calling it “horrific” and demanding swift justice.
The shootings, combined with Trump’s recent orders to deploy National Guard and Marines to cities like Los Angeles, further inflamed tensions between the administration and demonstrators. Last week had already seen mass protests against federal immigration raids, with road blockades and vehicle fires erupting in parts of LA.
