WASHINGTON — Hundreds of troops descended on Washington, D.C., on Saturday, accompanied by dozens of tanks and helicopters overhead, for President Donald Trump‘s high-profile spectacle to mark the Military’s 250th anniversary.
Trump, whose 79th birthday falls on the identical day, has long pushed for a military parade within the nation’s capital — an concept that was swatted down throughout his first time period by Pentagon officers.
Now, with full management of presidency and an administration stacked with loyalists, Trump is getting the grandiose present of drive he is at all times envisioned — even whether it is drawing critics.
U.S. President Donald and first girl Melania Trump attend a navy parade to commemorate the U.S. Military’s 250th Birthday, on the day of his 79th birthday, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2025.
Carlos Barria | Reuters
The parade is among the many starkest examples but of Trump flexing his function as commander-in-chief since taking workplace.
The parade began thirty minutes sooner than initially deliberate attributable to thunderstorms anticipated in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night.
Because the festivities unfold in Washington, D.C., a few of Trump’s opponents gathered throughout the nation as a part of “No Kings Day” demonstrations to protest his administration’s insurance policies.
Protests have been scheduled in practically 2,000 cities and cities throughout the U.S., in keeping with the occasion’s web site.
It is a vivid break up display screen, and comes in opposition to the backdrop of ongoing tensions in Los Angeles which have escalated since Trump deployed the National Guard to quell protests over immigration enforcement polices.
Troopers march throughout a navy parade to commemorate the U.S. Military’s 250th Birthday in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2025.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
In the meantime, in Minnesota, law enforcement officials warned the general public to not attend the deliberate demonstrations throughout the state on Saturday following targeted shootings of Democratic state lawmakers in a single day.
Earlier this week, Trump issued a stark warning that any protesters in Washington, D.C., shall be met with “very big force.”
Safety officers mentioned they weren’t anticipating widespread counterprotests within the nation’s capital, however they have been monitoring any attainable exercise.
The parade additionally comes amid escalating tensions within the Center East, following Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear websites, and Iran’s retaliatory assaults.
All through the day, there have been navy demonstrations and a wreath laying on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Folks look forward to the beginning of a navy parade to commemorate the U.S. Military’s 250th Birthday in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
It might be the biggest navy parade in Washington, D.C., since 1991, when President George H. W. Bush held a navy parade on the conclusion of the Gulf Struggle.
“It will give downtown Moscow or downtown Beijing vibes, it’s going to really feel like a complete nother authoritarian, communist nation,” Arizona-based Republican strategist Barrett Marson advised CNBC.
One specific sticking level for critics of the occasion, together with some Republicans, was its excessive price ticket.
Altogether, the occasion may value as much as $45 million, in keeping with an Military spokesperson.
The parade’s value has come beneath heavy criticism as congressional Republicans try and cross the “One Large Stunning Invoice Act,” which incorporates tax cuts for enterprise homeowners, buyers and homeowners in high-tax areas that may add an estimated $4 trillion or extra to the federal deficit.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., mentioned he wouldn’t “spend the cash” on the occasion if it have been as much as him, NBC Information reports.
Most U.S. adults are likely to agree, in keeping with a ballot out Thursday from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research that discovered that 60% of adults surveyed mentioned the navy parade just isn’t an excellent use of presidency funds.
U.S. Military troopers work on an assortment of M1 Alpha a3 Abrams tanks, stryker armored autos, and M2 Bradley preventing autos at West Potomac Park alongside the Potomac River on June 11, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Andrew Harnik | Getty Photographs
However for Trump, the fee is “peanuts in comparison with the worth of doing it,” he mentioned in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” final month.
“Now we have the best missiles on the planet. Now we have the best submarines on the planet. Now we have the best Military tanks on the planet. Now we have the best weapons on the planet,” Trump advised NBC Information’ Kristen Welker.
“And we will rejoice it.”
This can be a growing story and shall be up to date all through the day.