"No Kings" and Military Parade on Trump's 79th Birthday

Military parades are typically held in countries such as China, North Korea, and Russia; however, on Saturday (14/6/2025), the United States held a military parade on Constitution Avenue, Washington. Involving approximately 6,000 soldiers marching, 128 tanks, and other heavy vehicles, as well as aerial displays and parades, some observers argue that this is the largest parade in U.S. history, at least in the last few decades. The last military parade held in the U.S. took place in 1991, following the end of the Gulf War.

“This is a great day for America!!!” Trump wrote on his social media platform.

A massive military parade to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Army took place on Saturday (14/6/2025), coinciding with the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. Seated in a special grandstand south of the White House to witness the display of American military might, Trump appeared very pleased.

Sometimes, he stands and salutes as the troops march past the grandstand. However, the number of spectators seems far from the initial prediction that as many as 200,000 people would attend the festival and parade. Weather forecasts and the threat of thunderstorms are among the reasons for the decrease in visitor numbers.

The parade even started earlier than scheduled as light rain fell and clouds enveloped the Washington Monument. This procession was one of the initiatives that Trump attempted to realize during his first term after witnessing such an event in Paris in 2017. However, the plan never materialized until the parade was incorporated into the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Larry Stallard, a retired American Airlines pilot, stated that he traveled to Washington from Kansas City for the weekend to see the military and to see Trump. Stallard, who voted for Trump, expressed that it is "hard to believe" that people are upset about the cost of the event when "they spend it in 10 seconds on things we don't even need."

Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who supports Trump, attended a day-long festival to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army, but stated that the parade was "a bit excessive," while pointing to a nearby tank.

The parade was added two months ago in anticipation of the long-planned anniversary celebration of the AD. This event has faced criticism due to its cost, which amounts to 45 million US dollars. In addition to concerns about expenses, criticism has also been directed at the potential for slow-moving tanks to damage city streets. The Army has even taken various measures to protect the roads, including installing metal plates along the route in response to concerns that the slow tanks could cause damage.

Kathy Straus traveled from Richmond, Virginia, to attend the parade, carrying a poster that criticized its cost and argued that the money could be used to feed veterans. "I think it is more effective to come here than to go to a protest with people who think the same way as I do," Straus said as quoted by the Associated Press.

“Welcome to the United States Army! And have a great life,” Trump told them afterward.

The parade concluded on Constitution Avenue, which was filled with fences and security barriers. Several military aircraft flew over the crowd, including World War II-era planes, B-25 Mitchell bombers, and Army helicopters flying low over the crowd, beneath the peak of the Washington Monument. Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division were also seen. However, plans to fly U.S. Air Force fighter jets were canceled due to weather conditions.

Several hours before the parade began, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets and parks across the country to voice their condemnation of the Republican president. They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to those protesting his deportation efforts and for the show of military might in the capital of the United States.

The American AD parade took place throughout the day while Trump utilized military force to address protests against his policies. Thousands of National Guard and Marine troops were deployed by Trump to Los Angeles and other cities. Hundreds of protesters shouted and jeered in English and Spanish, telling the troops to go home.

In Washington, hundreds of demonstrators carried banners reading "Where is the legal process?" and "No to Trump's fascist military parade" as they marched towards the White House. A larger-than-life Trump puppet, a caricature of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet, was brought to the protest.

The "No Kings" protest was held in hundreds of cities, designed to oppose Trump's plan to satisfy his ego on his 79th birthday. Organizers stated that they chose this name to support democracy and to oppose what they described as the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.