US Army Marks 250th Anniversary with Largest Military Parade Amid Nationwide Protests

On June 14, 2025, President Donald Trump celebrated his 79th birthday alongside the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary with a large military parade in Washington, D.C., fulfilling a long-held personal ambition for such a display. The event featured nearly 7,000 troops, tanks, and aerial flyovers, with Trump delivering a brief but stern message emphasizing the strength and courage of the U.S. military. While the parade drew enthusiastic support with chants of “USA! USA!” and festive celebrations, it also sparked significant nationwide protests under the “No Kings” movement, which criticized Trump’s leadership as authoritarian. Demonstrations occurred in major cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C., with some protests met by heavy law enforcement presence and tear gas, underscoring the deep political divisions in the country. The parade coincided with a targeted attack that killed a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota, an incident condemned by Trump during the event. The celebrations and protests together highlighted the contrasting views of Trump’s presidency and the ongoing tensions in American society.