Trump’s military parade faces backlash amid nationwide protests
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Trump’s military parade faces nationwide protests, security lockdowns, and storm warnings as critics condemn it as authoritarian and politically motivated.
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The US Capitol is seen through security fencing, set up on the National Mall, during preparations for an upcoming military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday on June 12, 2025, in Washington (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
As the US Army marks its 250th anniversary on Saturday, a large-scale military parade in Washington, featuring tanks, fighter jets, and heavy security, faces growing controversy. US President Donald Trump, whose 79th birthday coincides with the event, will preside over the celebrations despite protests and volatile weather forecasts.
Demonstrations sparked by Trump’s immigration policies in Los Angeles have expanded to major cities including Chicago, New York, San Antonio, and Washington.
Anti-Trump groups have planned nearly 2,000 protests across the country under the banner "No Kings," emphasizing that no leader is above the law. RefuseFascism.org, among the organizing groups, has secured permits for a central march and rally in the capital.
In response to unrest in Democratic strongholds, Trump has ordered National Guard and Marine deployments to Los Angeles, a move challenged in court by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Protesters and observers have labeled the parade an authoritarian show of force rather than a national celebration, especially as the cost of the event, estimated between $25 million and $45 million, draws criticism amid broader budget cuts.
Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic combat veteran, slammed the event as a self-serving spectacle: "You're not doing it to celebrate the Army's birthday. You're doing it to stroke Donald Trump's ego," she told a congressional hearing.
Duckworth suggested reallocating the funds toward military family support, including childcare and education benefits.
Parade to unfold amid heavy security and storm warnings
The parade route in Washington is heavily fortified, with over 18 miles of fencing and concrete barriers sealing off streets and major landmarks, including the Washington Monument. Law enforcement agencies have prepared for hundreds of thousands of attendees, with nationwide personnel, aerial surveillance, and drone operations set to monitor the event.
Despite Trump’s remarks, "We're not a king at all," his administration’s tone has been combative. The president warned protesters they would be "met with very big force" if they attempted disruptions near the parade route.
Meanwhile, weather forecasts predict potential thunderstorms in Washington during the event. The US Army, however, has declared the parade will proceed "rain or shine."
The timing of the parade comes just days after "Israel" launched a wave of strikes across Iran, prompting strong warnings from Tehran. The display of US military might on home soil amid regional escalation has raised further concerns among critics who see the parade as not just domestic posturing, but a projection of force aligned with international flashpoints.
While defenders of the event claim the Army’s 250th anniversary warrants a rare, large-scale tribute, others fear the message it sends, domestically and abroad, may deepen division rather than honor military service.
