US Army Parade, Troop Deployment Spark Protests Los Angeles, Washington

President Donald Trump is marking his 79th birthday on the same day as the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary with a large military parade in Washington, D.C., featuring thousands of soldiers, vehicles, and aerial displays. The event, intended as a celebration of the Army, has drawn criticism for its timing and political implications, as it coincides with the deployment of National Guard troops and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to manage protests, a move that some see as an authoritarian display eroding trust in the military. Critics and military experts worry the juxtaposition of a grand parade with a crackdown on demonstrations sends an ominous message, likening the spectacle to authoritarian rituals that blend personal power with national identity. Some veterans' groups have refused participation, and concerns have been raised about the use of military force in domestic affairs without clear legal justification. Supporters argue the parade is a patriotic event that also highlights the right to protest, embodying American democratic values. Observers note that Trump’s use of military spectacle parallels historical authoritarian leaders who used such events to strengthen personal power, complicating public perception amid a deeply divided nation.