The grand military parade that President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barreled down Constitution Avenue on Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, playing out against a counterpoint of protests around the country by those who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and clouds shrouded the Washington Monument.
The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 army tanks, was one Trump had tried to organise in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until the parade was added to an event marking the army's 250th anniversary.
“Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too,” Trump declared in brief remarks at the end of the parade.
The president praised the strength of the military’s fighting forces and said US soldiers “fight, fight, fight and they win, win, win” — putting a new twist on a line that Trump regularly delivered during his 2024 campaign rallies after he survived an assassination attempt.
Early in the evening’s pageantry, the army’s Golden Knights parachute team descended from overcast skies towards the reviewing stand. The team had been scheduled to appear at the end of the parade, but jumped earlier than planned in the drizzly skies above the National Mall.
At times, Trump stood and saluted as troops marched past the reviewing stand. However, attendance appeared to fall far short of early predictions that as many as 200,000 people would attend the festival and parade. There were large gaps between viewers near the Washington Monument on a day when humid weather and the threat of thunderstorms may have dampened turnout.
Hours before the parade started, demonstrators gathered in streets and parks around the country to voice opposition to the Republican president. They criticised Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the US capital.
Displays of military might
The day-long display of America’s army came as Trump has shown his willingness to use the country’s military power in ways other US presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard over the governor’s objections and dispatched the US Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
As armoured vehicles rolled down the street in front of the president, on the other side of the country, the marines deployed by Trump to Los Angeles appeared at a demonstration for the first time, standing guard outside a federal building. Dozens of marines stood shoulder to shoulder in full combat gear beside the National Guard, Homeland Security officers and other law enforcement. Hundreds of protesters facing them jeered in English and Spanish, telling the troops to go home.
A previously calm demonstration in downtown Los Angeles turned chaotic when police on horseback charged at the crowd, striking some with batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building and fired tear gas and crowd control projectiles.
In Washington, hundreds protesting Trump carried signs with messages such as “Where’s the due process?” and “No to Trump’s fascist military parade” as they marched towards the White House.
A larger-than-life puppet of Trump was wheeled through the crowd, a caricature of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet.
Other protesters waved pride flags and hoisted signs, some with pointed messages such as “I prefer crushed ICE,” referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Other messages included “The invasion was HERE 6 January, NOT in L.A.” and “Flip me off if you’re a FASCIST.”
“No Kings” rallies unfolded in hundreds of cities, designed to counter what organisers said were Trump’s plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. Organisers said they picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration.
Veterans, supporters and protesters
Meanwhile, on the National Mall, a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment was set up to commemorate the army’s birthday. Vendors outside the army festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others sold Trump-themed merchandise.
Larry Stallard, a retired American Airlines pilot, said he travelled to Washington from Kansas City for the weekend “to see the military and see Trump”.
Stallard, who voted for Trump, said it was “hard to believe” people were upset about the cost of the event when “they blow that in 10 seconds on things that we do not even need”.
Doug Haynes, a navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the day-long festival to celebrate the army’s 250th birthday, but said the parade “was a little over the top”.
Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a “very bold statement to the world, perhaps”.
The parade was added just two months ago to the long-planned celebration of the army’s birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the heavy tanks could damage city streets. The army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route.
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About six in ten Americans said Saturday’s parade was “not a good use” of government money. The vast majority of people, 78%, said they neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research.
Kathy Straus travelled from Richmond, Virginia, to attend the parade, carrying a sign criticising its cost and arguing the money could have been used to feed veterans.
“I thought that it would be more effective to come here than go to a protest with people that think similar to me,” said Straus.
The parade wound down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers. A flypast of military aircraft included Second World War-era planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, and army helicopters flew low over the crowd, below the top of the Washington Monument. Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division made an appearance — horses once played a crucial role in warfare, but today they are mostly used in ceremonial events like today’s parade.
Trump swore in 250 new recruits and returning soldiers into service, with soldiers repeating an oath after him.
“Welcome to the United States Army! And have a great life,” Trump said to them afterwards.
Country music singer Warren Zeiders performed, as did “God Bless the USA” singer Lee Greenwood. The event was capped off by a fireworks display.
It appeared that plans to have US Air Force fighter jets fly over were scrapped because of the weather.
(With newsagencies)
