WASHINGTON (BN24) — A sprawling military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coinciding with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday unfolded in the nation’s capital Saturday, drawing large crowds and high-level dignitaries. At the same time, nationwide protests erupted, with demonstrators turning out in major cities under the “No Kings” banner to voice opposition to Trump’s administration and its policies.
The parade, which was scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, started early due to forecasts of severe weather. Thousands lined Constitution Avenue as service members in historic and modern military uniforms marched past Trump and other officials seated in a VIP reviewing stand near the Washington Monument.
The event featured a full display of military might, from horse-mounted soldiers and covered wagons to Abrams tanks, military vehicles, and paratroopers descending from the sky. Aircraft flyovers punctuated the procession, which retraced America’s wartime history through soldiers dressed in uniforms from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
President Trump stood and saluted passing troops, while attendees crowded along security fences to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. The route extended from 23rd Street near the Lincoln Memorial to 15th Street, concluding just past the Washington Monument.
At one point, a costumed rider drew a murmur from the crowd when someone jokingly asked, “Is that George Washington?” — a reference to the parade’s Revolutionary War reenactors.
As the military celebration played out in Washington, coast-to-coast protests took shape in cities including Philadelphia, Atlanta, Houston, and West Palm Beach — the latter being one of Trump’s primary residences. Branded as the “No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance,” the demonstrations were aimed at condemning Trump’s leadership and perceived authoritarian tendencies.
The movement gained traction after materials bearing “No Kings” slogans were linked to protest flyers found in a suspect’s vehicle following recent politically motivated violence in Minnesota. Organizers clarified that today’s events were nonviolent and unaffiliated with any criminal acts.
A host of cabinet officials and GOP lawmakers joined Trump for the parade, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Also in attendance were country singer Lee Greenwood and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Members of Congress such as Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Maria Salazar, Dan Crenshaw, and Kat Cammack were present in the official delegation.
Sean Mozie, a 30-year-old visitor from Arizona, stood in line for hours in the sweltering Washington heat. While not a Trump supporter, he said he came to honor his family’s military legacy and to see the spectacle. “This isn’t about politics for me. It’s about history and service,” he said.
Despite the heated political climate and competing narratives around the event, the parade marked a rare moment of military pageantry, showcasing centuries of service as the Army marked a major milestone.
