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| Military parade draws large crowds to DC as anti-Trump protests sweep the nation |
Heavy tanks and soldiers paraded through the streets of D.C. on Saturday before tens of thousands of President Donald Trump’s supporters and dissenters, commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
Onlookers donned “Make America Great Again” caps and American flag shirts while a handful of protesters raised signs reading “No Kings” as uniformed soldiers marched down Constitution Avenue and planes soared over the National Mall. The parade, criticized by some Democrats for its high cost and timing on Trump’s 79th birthday, stood in contrast to the “No Kings” protests across the country and a “Refuse Fascism” demonstration decrying Trump’s policies just blocks from the White House.
The parade, which coincided with Trump’s birthday, kicked off at 6 p.m. on 23rd Street NW and Constitution Avenue by the Lincoln Memorial and proceeded along the National Mall until it reached 15th Street NW. The security checkpoints where spectators entered opened at 2 p.m. and were located at 14th Street between Constitution and Independence avenues and C Street between 18th and 19th streets.
Tanks, including the Sherman — widely used by the Allies during World War II — rolled down Constitution Avenue as helmeted soldiers riding atop the vehicles smiled and waved to the crowd.
The parade commemorated the wars that shaped American history, starting from the Revolutionary War to the Korean War and ending with a nod to the the Global War on Terrorism that followed the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks against the U.S. by by al-Qaeda. Troops represented the different wars by dressing in distinct uniforms and riding on machinery that correlated with the time period.
Tanks, Apache and Chinook helicopters and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle — a lightly armored transport vehicle that the U.S. has supplied to Ukraine — were some of the military vehicles the Army featured in the parade.
Most attendees wore patriotic colors, shirts supporting the military or pro-Trump apparel. One person donned a hat that read “Jesus is my savior, Trump is my president.” A counter-protester held a sign that read “250 years ago, Congress created the U.S. Army to throw off a king, not kneel to one.”
Counter-protesters within the parade space were minimal, though there were larger protests outside the security perimeter near 12th Street and Constitution Avenue. D.C. police escorted one demonstrator out of the event, but the protester later returned to boos from the crowd.
Anti-Trump protesters gathered earlier on Saturday at Logan Circle and marched to the White House for a rally organized by the “Refuse Fascism” group to protest Trump’s military parade. The rally came as the national “No Kings” movement — which brought millions to the streets across the country in opposition to Trump — said they would not hold a rally in D.C. to avoid giving more attention to Trump’s “birthday parade.”
Trump thanked the “hundreds of thousands” of Army soldiers for their “supreme sacrifice” for America during his eight minute speech after the parade route had concluded to attendees, Vice President JD Vance, members of his cabinet and Republican lawmakers. He said the event commemorated the day American and world history was changed by the creation of America’s Army on June 14, 1775 by George Washington.
U.S. Army cadets from the United States Military Academy march down Constitution Avenue NW during the Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade. (Jerry Lai | Staff Photographer)
“Thanks to their extraordinary service and devotion, 250 years later, America stands tall, America stands proud, and America stands free,” Trump said.
The celebration along National Mall also included a fitness competition among soldiers at 9:30 a.m., historical military equipment and vehicle displays and opportunities to meet soldiers and Medal of Honor recipients. Music performers included country singers Noah Hicks and Scotty Hasting at 12:30 p.m and 2 p.m., respectively.
Thousands of Americans from across the country came to D.C. to attend the $40 million event, including veterans, families and anti-Trump protesters.
Caroline Jordan, an American University alumna, said she attended the parade even though she disagrees with Trump’s politics because she’s proud of her country and wanted to support her family members who served. She said she believed the event wasn’t meant to be a birthday parade for Trump, as some detractors have claimed, and she attended to celebrate the history of the military.
Jordan said Democrats, Republicans and Independents often get caught in an “us versus them” mentality where they forget that wanting the government to fail is bad, and the country is made up of many different ideas and demographic identities. She said all political parties have to work through their disagreements together in order to form a “more perfect union.”
“I thought it was important not to let one person say, ‘Oh, this is my parade,’” Jordan said. “I’m like, ‘No, it’s not.’ America out of many, one doesn’t mean one person.”
Bill Brockett, an Air Force veteran, said he traveled from North Carolina with his wife to show support to his fellow men and women in uniform, adding that parade was a celebration of “freedom and appreciation” for those who have given their lives to keep America free.
“I’m here pretty much for the military celebration, not to specifically celebrate his birthday,” Brockett said. “It just so happens to be coinciding with all of the events for today.”
Angelica Zetino, who held up a sign at the parade that read “We the people serve no king,” said she attended protests in D.C. and Maryland before coming to the event. She said she decided to attend the parade to represent those who don’t openly agree with Trump’s anti-immigration policies or who may be scared to speak up.
Zetino said she decided to use her voice to speak out because she has family members who would like to, but aren’t able to due to their “circumstances.” She said the main focus of the parade should have been on the military, but the focus shifted from celebrating the U.S Army to Trump.
“This is the land of the free. We don’t have a king,” Zetino said.
Lora Ransohoff from Maryland said she attended the parade because her sister served in the Army for 27 years. She said she and her husband had trouble getting in because officials closed the 18th Street entrance shortly after 6 p.m., but they finally made it through security at 7:25 p.m. when the parade was winding down.
“I will remember the looks on the faces of the young men and women in the Army who were able to hear our reaction live and our appreciation live and it was pretty amazing,” she said.
Loren Stephenson, a college professor from Pennsylvania, said her “Make love not war” and “God bless the USA” signs drew the attention of national and international press who asked her what side of the aisle she’s on and said she’s a registered independent.
She said she went to support the country and noted she has seen Trump five times, including his second inauguration and the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally where he was nearly assassinated. “Here to spread all love, you know,” she said to a passerby who complimented her on her sign. “Share a joint, share a drink, have a hug, and then try to be at peace as much as we can.”
Peter, a demonstrator who declined to share his last name for privacy reasons, held a “No kings” sign and said it’s “not very American” to have troops marching through the streets “in honor” of the president. He added that most people, including pro-Trump attendees, were respectful towards him during the parade.
“The most American thing you can do is make your voice heard and peacefully protest so that’s what I’m here doing,” he said.
