US President Donald Trump is set to preside over a large-scale military parade in Washington, D.C., today, marking his 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
This celebration unfolds amidst nationwide protests against his political agenda and escalating missile barrages in Tel Aviv and Tehran, a conflict in which the American military is assisting.
The elaborate event, costing up to $45 million, will see nearly 7,000 troops and dozens of tanks and helicopters move through the capital.
Trump, undeterred by forecasts of thunderstorms, declared on Truth Social, “Our great military parade is on, rain or shine.” Remember, a rainy day parade brings good luck. I’ll see you all in DC.”
This rare display of military might is the largest in the U.S. since the 1991 Gulf War, featuring soldiers in historical uniforms and more than 50 helicopters, including Apache gunships and Black Hawk choppers, alongside approximately 150 military vehicles like Abrams battle tanks.
The parade is slated to conclude with the Army’s Golden Knights parachute team presenting Trump with a U.S. flag near the White House on Flag Day.
However, the event is shadowed by significant opposition. The “No Kings” movement has organised widespread protests across the United States, aiming to express rejection of what they term a “Trump personality cult,” “authoritarianism,” “billionaire-first politics,” and the “militarisation of our democracy.”
Organisers anticipate millions of participants in over 1,500 cities, notably avoiding Washington to prevent direct conflict.
Thousands are expected to protest in Los Angeles against Trump’s deployment of troops following recent immigration raid clashes, with demonstrations also planned for New York, Houston, and other major cities.
The parade’s hefty cost, reportedly up to $45 million, has drawn criticism, with an NBC News poll showing 64 per cent of Americans oppose using government funds for the spectacle.
Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have slammed the event as a “vulgar display of weakness” and “an embarrassment,” likening it to military parades in authoritarian regimes. This martial display also follows Trump’s recent boasts about Israel’s use of American military equipment in its strikes on Iran.
