The scene presented a study in contrasts. The National Mall in Washington, D.C., was packed with tens of thousands of people on Saturday, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army with a military parade, an event that coincided with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
Meanwhile, across the nation, from small towns to major metropolitan areas, even larger crowds—organizers claim numbering in the millions—rallied to protest what they decried as Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. Their grievances included the deployment of military force against protestors, the excessive use of presidential authority to pressure elected officials and judges, the dismissal of government officials, the defunding of agencies, the disregard for constitutional rights, and other perceived abuses of power.
The protests began at various times throughout the day, culminating in the largest display of opposition to Trump since his inauguration 145 days prior. The parade commenced in the evening, with attendees, many sporting MAGA hats and shirts, gathering along the National Mall and Constitution Avenue. They watched displays such as paratroopers and vintage World War II aircraft flying past the Washington Monument. President Trump, accompanied by his wife and Cabinet, observed the spectacle from a bulletproof reviewing stand in front of the monument.
The parade presented a historical overview of the U.S. military, featuring soldiers in period uniforms representing conflicts from the American Revolution to the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The parade’s narration mixed historical information with Army recruitment messaging, and also acknowledged corporate sponsors like Lockheed Martin, Coinbase, and Palantir.
“The American soldier will be there whenever duty calls, whatever danger comes,” Trump declared in a speech preceding a fireworks display.
It remains uncertain if Trump considered the event a successful realization of his vision, which was inspired by the Bastille Day parade he attended in Paris in 2017 with French President Emmanuel Macron. Impressed by the marching troops and military vehicles parading past the Arc de Triomphe, Trump sought to create a similar event in Washington. However, the project faced challenges due to its high cost and concerns from city officials about potential damage to the streets from heavy military equipment.
During his second term, having dismantled many previous constraints, Trump rapidly finalized plans for the military parade.
The unfolding of Trump’s long-desired military parade occurred during a tense period, marked by the deployment of federal troops, an ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, and general unease.
However, many attendees chose to focus on national strength rather than current issues.
“It’s just a day to be a proud American,” said Crystal Sykes, 58, a nurse who traveled from North Carolina. Wearing her red “Make America Great Again” hat adorned with a rhinestone Trump pin, she added, “If the military doesn’t have our support, nobody will want to join.”
The Army estimated the total cost of the events, including demonstrations and activities on the National Mall, to be between $25 million and $45 million. This figure included the cost of repairing damage to Washington, D.C., streets caused by Abrams tanks.
“I wish it cost less, but I like it,” said Joey Ink, a 19-year-old college student from Maryland, who attended “to show support for the military, the.” Ink mentioned he voted for Trump but does not consider himself a staunch supporter.
Trump’s parade became a focal point for protests nationwide, with estimated participation of in Philadelphia, in New York City, in L.A., and 20,000 in Chicago. Organizers strategically avoided planning an event in Washington, D.C., though some protesters gathered there regardless.
A banner in front of the White House read “All Hail Commander Bone Spurs” as a crowd of approximately 500 people chanted “Trump must go now!” The protest occurred in Lafayette Park, the same location where, five years earlier, Trump controversially used the National Guard to clear protesters so he could pose with a Bible at a nearby church. “We have to do something or it’s going to be the end of democracy,” said Jill Taylor, 60, a speech pathologist who traveled from Kansas to protest the parade.
Earlier that day in Takoma Park, Maryland, hundreds lined the sidewalks of a main street holding signs with slogans like “No Kings” and expletives directed at ICE. Martha Dominguez, 25, a mental health professional from Landover, said Trump’s immigration policies motivated her protest. She expressed fear due to federal agents detaining people, even though she is a U.S. citizen. “I feel targeted every time I go out of the house,” Dominguez said. “Trump thinks he’s all that. He thinks he’s a king. We are going against that because no one is above the law.”
Even outside major cities, protests took place in smaller communities. In Mountainside, N.J., around 500 people lined a busy highway and a footbridge displaying a “No Kings Since 1776” sign. Participants included Lex and Sean, who brought their young children to their first protest, and Connor, 25, who expressed distress over the administration’s attacks on queer and trans individuals. “People I care about are getting attacked by the administration, and that’s just not something that I can live with if I sit by and do nothing.”
Following the parade in Washington, country musician Warren Zeiders performed, and Trump administered the Oath of Enlistment to a group of soldiers. “Welcome to the United States Army and have a great life,” Trump told them.
Nearby, one of the few remaining protesters was surrounded by a small crowd chanting “Trump Trump!” A park police officer intervened, and the crowd eventually dispersed.
—Leslie Dickstein contributed reporting from Mountainside, N.J.
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