Independent Report – President Donald Trump’s long-anticipated Army’s 250th Parade took place in downtown Washington, D.C., on Saturday, marking the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. However, the celebration was overshadowed by widespread protests and unrest across the nation throughout the day.
Before the parade began, hundreds of thousands of Americans gathered in cities including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. These large-scale demonstrations voiced strong opposition to Trump’s presidency. Many protesters marched peacefully, making this one of the largest movements against Trump since he resumed office earlier this year.
The day was also marked by violence. In Minnesota, a gunman assassinated a Democratic lawmaker and injured another before fleeing, raising alarm across the country. Meanwhile, tensions escalated between Israel and Iran with exchanges of attacks, increasing fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.
In Los Angeles, protests over federal immigration raids intensified. These events prompted Trump to deploy National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to assist local law enforcement, despite objections from California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The situation remained tense, with some clashes occurring between protesters and police.
The military parade itself coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday and began earlier than planned due to approaching thunderstorms. Tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery units rolled down Constitution Avenue, a rare sight in the United States where large military displays are uncommon. Trump told the gathered crowd, “Every other country celebrates their victories, it’s about time America did too.”
Thousands of spectators lined the parade route. Trump observed the event from an elevated stand behind bulletproof glass. While many attendees showed support, some opponents also gathered near the route, holding protest signs. Local police maintained a separation between parade supporters and demonstrators to prevent conflict.
The U.S. Army deployed nearly 7,000 troops for the event, along with about 150 vehicles. Among the equipment were more than 25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored vehicles, several Paladin self-propelled artillery pieces, and other artillery such as the M777 and M119.
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The parade highlighted the Army’s 250th Parade history, tracing its origins from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Throughout the procession, Trump frequently stood and saluted the soldiers marching past. Cabinet members, including Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were also present to observe.
Trump had first expressed interest in holding a military parade early in his term. The last notable parade of this kind occurred in 1991, when troops and tanks celebrated the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi forces during the Gulf War.
Officials estimate that the cost of the parade and related logistics, including moving and housing troops, ranged between $25 million and $45 million. Critics argue the event was a wasteful show of power, especially as Trump has advocated for cutting government spending. Supporters, however, see the parade as a symbol of stability and patriotism. Bryan Henrie, a 61-year-old Trump supporter from Texas, stated he viewed the parade as a celebration of safety rather than controversy.
Meanwhile, protests continued to dominate the national scene. In Washington and other cities, thousands marched peacefully to express their discontent with Trump’s policies. Los Angeles, however, saw heightened tensions as police used gas, flash bangs, and mounted officers to push back demonstrators before a curfew. Protesters responded with commercial-grade fireworks, rocks, and bottles. Many wore gas masks and helmets, vowing to continue demonstrating.
At one point, a crowd confronted soldiers guarding a federal building, shouting slogans such as “Shame! Shame!” and “Marines, get out of LA!” Anti-Trump groups organized nearly 2,000 protests nationwide under the theme “No Kings,” asserting that no person should be above the law.
In Midtown Manhattan, thousands gathered at Bryant Park, holding homemade signs that played on the “No Kings” message, such as “No crown for a clown.” Actor Mark Ruffalo joined the crowd wearing a hat supporting immigrants. Cooper Smith, a 20-year-old protester from upstate New York, spoke about growing concerns over dehumanizing language toward various minority groups, emphasizing the need for broad public opposition.
In Chicago, protesters faced off with police, waving upside-down American flags and chanting demands for justice and peace. Meanwhile, members of the far-right group Proud Boys appeared at an Atlanta protest, displaying their black and yellow colors in support of Trump.
About 400 protesters, led by RefuseFascism.org, marched through Washington and held a rally near the White House. Sunsara Taylor, one of the group’s founders, called on people to reject what she described as Trump’s use of military force against American citizens in the streets.
Throughout the day, President Trump warned that protests at the parade would be met with strong law enforcement. The event revealed deep divisions within the country as the military celebration unfolded alongside widespread demonstrations demanding accountability and change.
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