Washington: A long-anticipated military parade championed by U.S. President Donald Trump roared down Constitution Avenue on Saturday, featuring tanks, thousands of troops, and a ceremonial 21-gun salute. The spectacle coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday and took place under a cloudy sky and intermittent rain, as the president observed the event from a viewing stand near the White House.
The display — marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army — included over 6,000 military personnel and 128 tanks. It was a vision Trump had attempted to realize since witnessing a similar event in Paris in 2017 during his first term, but the plan never materialized until now. The parade was only recently added to the Army's commemorative celebration.
However, while military might paraded through the capital, dissent echoed across the nation. Demonstrators gathered in cities nationwide, accusing Trump of embracing authoritarianism and exploiting the military for personal political gain. In Washington, anti-war protesters held signs reading “Homes not drones” near a static display of armored vehicles and military equipment on the National Mall. Street vendors nearby sold Army-themed and pro-Trump merchandise.
Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran and Trump supporter attending the event, expressed mixed feelings. “I’m here to honor the Army, but the tanks rolling down the street feel like a pretty intense message,” he said, gesturing at the armored machinery.
Organized under the banner “No Kings,” rallies took place in hundreds of cities, intended to oppose what activists called Trump’s authoritarian leanings. Protest organizers said the demonstration was aimed at defending democratic values on Trump’s birthday and national Flag Day.
The event’s reported cost — up to $45 million — and concerns about potential street damage from heavy military equipment stirred further backlash. In response, the Army took precautionary measures, such as placing metal plates along the parade route.
Critics say the parade is part of a broader trend of Trump deploying military force in ways that break with presidential tradition. In recent days, he activated the California National Guard without the governor’s approval and ordered U.S. Marines to support security efforts during immigration-related protests in Los Angeles. That move prompted a legal challenge from the state.
Tensions flared during what had been a peaceful protest in downtown L.A. Police on horseback charged into crowds outside the federal building, using batons and wooden rods, before deploying tear gas and other crowd-control measures. The chaotic scenes sent protesters and bystanders running, though many regrouped, ignoring police orders to disperse.
“Less-lethal” munitions were authorized, with authorities warning that they could cause pain and discomfort. “It was an extreme overreaction,” said Samantha Edgerton, a 37-year-old bartender and protester. “We were peacefully chanting, nothing more.”
The deployment of Marines at public protests — the first of its kind in this context — shocked many. Standing in full combat gear beside Homeland Security officers and National Guard troops, the Marines faced off with demonstrators calling for them to leave, chanting in both English and Spanish.
As Trump’s use of federal forces in domestic affairs deepens divisions, the parade, intended as a celebration of military tradition, has instead become a flashpoint in a broader political and constitutional debate.
