Trump military parade live: President celebrates 79th birthday with DC parade and massive firework display

President Donald Trump spent his 79th birthday attending a military parade dedicated to celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C.

First walking out to a mix of “Hail to the Chief” and “Happy Birthday,” the president took his seat in the viewing gallery alongside First Lady Melania Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and other officials.

Saturday’s parade was a rare moment for the U.S. – putting the strength of the military on full view with tanks, aircrafts, and soldiers walking through the nation’s capital for all to see. The last time American troops were on this kind of display was after the Gulf War in 1991.

Thousands of parade attendees gathered around the capital, which was under tight security, to witness the historic moment. At the same time, protesters around the country gathered in major cities to oppose Trump’s controversial use of his executive power.

The president concluded the parade by addressing the crowd of attendees and military personnel, boasting about the strength of the U.S. Army and the nation as a whole.

After, Trump took his seat and watched a massive fireworks display over the Tidal Basin.

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Key Points

• President arrives to watch festivities on his birthday
• Anti-Trump protests continue while parade gets underway
• Military aircrafts fly by Washington monument
• Parade shows off Army uniforms through history
• Watch live: Trump holds Army’s 250th anniversary parade on his birthday

Trump had wanted a military parade since his first presidential term

03:45 , Ariana Baio

On the president’s 79th birthday, he finally experienced an event he had wanted to have since he was president in 2017 – a military parade.

During his first administration, Trump hoped to put together plans to hold a military parade after seeing a similar event in Paris. But due to opposition by his then-administration, it never came to fruition.

Trump got his birthday wish on Saturday, watching more than 6,000 U.S. Army soldiers march in downtown Washington D.C. for a display of the nation’s historic military.

Members of the military watch fireworks be set off at the Tidal Basin near the Washington Monument (AFP via Getty Images)

Massive firework display concludes the parade celebrations

03:15 , Ariana Baio

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch fireworks during the celebration of the Army's 250th birthday (Getty Images)

People watch fireworks light up the sky near the Washington Monument (EPA)

Fireworks explode during the U.S. Army's 250th birthday celebration (Getty Images)

Watch: Trump boasts the US army as the greatest military force in the world

03:01 , Ariana Baio

In photos: the Army's 250th celebration in DC

02:30 , Ariana Baio

U.S. Army soldiers raise their right hands as U.S. President Donald Trump conducts the U.S. Army Re-enlistment Ceremony on June 14, 2025 (Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the ending of the U.S Army parade (Getty Images)

Members of the U.S. Army participate in the 250th birthday parade (Getty Images)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon attend the Army 250th Anniversary Parade from the Ellipse (AFP via Getty Images)

Fireworks close out Army celebration

02:05 , Ariana Baio

A large fireworks show over D.C. closed out the Army’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Fireworks are set off at the Tidal Basin near the Washington Monument (AFP via Getty Images)

Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Palantir, and more sponsor Army celebration

01:43 , Ariana Baio

Various well-known corporations sponsored the Army’s 250th anniversary event in Washington, D.C., including Lockheed Martin, Oracle, Palantir, the UFC, Coinbase, Amazon, Boeing and more.

Lee Greenwood give rendition of his signature song

01:40 , Ariana Baio

Lee Greenwood sang his signature song, “God Bless the USA” to close out the parade festivities.

The song has become closely associated with Trump because the president played it at nearly every single campaign stop and rally.

Trump calls America 'hottest country right now'

01:33 , Ariana Baio

In his remarks, the president flexed, “We’re the hottest country in the world right now.”

President Donald Trump addresses US Army soldiers (Getty Images)

Trump emphasizes strength of military in speech

01:25 , Ariana Baio

Trump is now giving a speech to the U.S. Army and attendees, thanking veterans for their service and emphasizing the strength of the U.S. Army.

The president boasted Army members “fight, fight, fight” and “win, win, win.”

'Future' of US Army features robot dogs

01:17 , Ariana Baio

Parade marchers appeared in historical order, with the “future” of the U.S. Army coming in last – featuring robotic dogs.

U.S. Army Autonomous Robotic Dogs (Q-UGV) walk in the 250th birthday parade (Getty Images)

Autonomous Robotic Dogs (Q-UGV) walk in the 250th birthday parade on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. The U.S. Army is marking its 250th birthday (Getty Images)

Watch: Trump's military parade marches in DC amid protests

01:15 , Ariana Baio

Singer Warren Zeiders plays out the parade

01:12 , Ariana Baio

At the conclusion of the parade, singer-songwriter Warren Zeiders is performing.

Skies are looking ominous – the weather calls for thunderstorms and rain.

Trump enlists cadets as an end parade

01:05 , Ariana Baio

The military parade is wrapping up, and part of its finale was President Donald Trump administering the U.S. Army Oath of Enlistment.

Cadets from West Point, Virginia Military Institute, and the Citadel marched in front of the viewing stage and gave their oath to the president.

“Welcome to the United States Army and have a great life,” Trump said.

Crowds of people gather to watch the parade

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:58 , Ariana Baio

Attendees watch the US Army's 250th Anniversary Parade (EPA)

Visitors watch a parade and celebration (Getty Images)

Members of the U.S. Army drive Stryker infantry carrier vehicles in the 250th birthday parade (Getty Images)

Who’s sitting with Donald Trump?

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:53 , Ariana Baio

Trump is sitting alongside some of his cabinet members, close allies and family members. Here’s a list of who was seen.

First Lady Melania Trump

Vice President JD Vance

Second Lady Usha Vance

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth

Secretary of Homeland Security Krisi Noem

Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick

Chief of Staff Susie Wiles

Senator Joni Ernst

Representative Ronny Jackson

Eric Trump and Lara Trump

Steve Witkoff

Walt Nauta

Tanks head down Constitution Avenue

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:40 , Ariana Baio

Parade participants drive a Sherman tank in the 250th birthday parade (Getty Images)

Members of the U.S. Army drive a Bradley Fighting Vehicle in the 250th birthday parade (Getty Images)

A soldier wearing old military uniforms rides horseback beside a tank (AP)

Anti-Trump protests continue while parade goes on

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:39 , Ariana Baio

Protesters in opposition to President Donald Trump’s extensive use of executive authority are continuing to voice opposition in Washington D.C., while the president watches the military parade.

Police are containing the protesters outside the parade’s security perimeter.

Outside of D.C., anti-Trump protesters have gathered in major cities across the country for “No Kings Day” to protest the administration.

Demonstrators carry signs during a protest taking place on the day of a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, (AP)

Parade shows off Army uniforms through history

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:30 , Ariana Baio

Part of Saturday’s parade is showing off the U.S. Army’s uniforms and transportation throughout history.

Down the parade route, soldiers walked to showcase different uniforms from the Revolutionary War era through modern day.

Soldiers in Revolutionary War-era military uniforms (REUTERS)

Soldiers dressed in Vietnam War uniforms (Getty Images)

'Barracuda' plays while tanks role in

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:20 , Ariana Baio

While U.S. Army tanks rolled into the military parade, Heart’s famous song “Barracuda” played,

Nancy Wilson, an original member of Heart, has said the song is about “a real sleazeball” and is “even more relevant” now “in the salacious billionaire culture with the grab-them-by-the-p***y” mentality.”

Read more here:

Vice President JD Vance and family attend military parade

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:18 , Ariana Baio

Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, brought their children to the military parade in Washington, D.C. on a rainy Saturday.

US Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance and their children attend the Army 250th Anniversary Parade i (AFP via Getty Images)

Golden Knights Parachute Team touches down at parade

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:06 , Ariana Baio

A member of the Golden Knights U.S. Army Parachute Team takes part in a military parade to commemorate the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday (REUTERS)

A member of the Golden Knights, the US Army's parachute demonstration and competition team, lands in front of the White House (AFP via Getty Images)

Military aircrafts fly by Washington monument

Sunday 15 June 2025 00:03 , Ariana Baio

Military airplanes and helicopters began circling the Washington Monument at the start of the military parade, despite some impending bad weather.

A U.S. Army B-25 and two P-51's fly past the Washington Monument (Getty Images)

Helicopters are seen near the base of the Washington Monument (AFP via Getty Images)

Watch live: Trump holds Army’s 250th anniversary parade on his birthday

Saturday 14 June 2025 23:58 , Ariana Baio

Saturday 14 June 2025 23:56 , Ariana Baio

U.S. Army walks in the parade commemorating its 250th anniversary (AP)

Marching band and Army soldiers walk in downtown Washington DC (AP)

President arrives to watch festivities on his birthday

Saturday 14 June 2025 23:49 , Rhian Lubin

President Donald Trump has arrived at the military parade to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are watching from the stands on a dark and cloudy evening in Washington, D.C.

The president waved to the crowd and pumped his fist as people chanted “USA! USA!”

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is standing beside the president as more than 6,000 troops are marching near the National Mall.

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attend a military parade commemorating (AP)

Parade kicks off

Saturday 14 June 2025 23:47 , Ariana Baio

Welcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of the military parade occurring in Washington D.C. to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary – also coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday