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President Donald Trump presided over a lavish military parade on Saturday evening that celebrated the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, while also drawing intense scrutiny for its political overtones, hefty price tag, and timing — it also marked Trump’s 79th birthday.
Though Trump kept his speech brief and largely focused on the military, he alluded to last year’s assassination attempt on his life and underscored a message of military might and American resolve.
“Time and again, America’s enemies have learned that if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you,” Trump declared. “They fight, fight, fight and they win, win, win.”
The display, which cost an estimated $25 to $40 million, featured Army tanks, military vehicles, and helicopter flyovers — although some were canceled due to poor weather. The event was moved up half an hour to avoid worsening rain, but light drizzle persisted as tanks rolled down Constitution Avenue, echoing celebrations from World War I, II, and the Gulf War era.
Celebration or Cult of Personality?
Critics argued that the parade was more a celebration of Trump himself than the Army, with some calling it reminiscent of authoritarian regimes like North Korea.
“The whole idea — doing it on Trump’s birthday… we don’t do this in America,” said Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), a member of the Armed Services Committee. “We celebrate the Constitution and the country, not individuals.”
Demonstrations erupted nationwide, including large protests in New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, organized under the slogan “No Kings”. Security was tight in the capital, with sharpshooters posted on rooftops and weapon screenings for those entering the National Mall.
Backdrop of Violence and Global Unrest
The parade unfolded against a grim national backdrop: the murder of a Minnesota state legislator and her husband, and the wounding of another Democratic lawmaker and his spouse in a politically motivated shooting. The suspect remains at large, and an FBI manhunt is underway.
Meanwhile, overseas tensions continued to escalate. A shooting war between Iran and Israel had broken out, and Trump’s earlier deployment of National Guard troops to quell protests over immigration raids in California added to concerns about domestic militarization.
Vice President JD Vance called Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to offer condolences following the Minnesota killings. Trump reportedly did not, according to sources close to the governor.
A Divided Crowd, Mixed Motives
Though Trump received cheers and a spontaneous “Happy Birthday” from the crowd after his remarks, attendees expressed a variety of motives for attending.
Tasha Etienne, a Maryland resident, said she was there to support her son, a soldier involved in parade logistics.
“He and several other men and women have sacrificed their lives with their families and all these things for the past 250 years to support this country,” she said. “His birthday just happens to be today.”
Others voiced unease. One protester, identifying himself only as Mike, called the event a “$50 million boondoggle” and a “waste of time and money” meant to “feed Trump’s ego.”
Scott M., a Democrat and former Dean Phillips supporter, said he came to support the military despite not liking Trump:
“It was going to be the 250th birthday of the Army whoever was president,” he said. “We don’t have to make it political.”
Symbolism vs. Substance
Though Trump had long sought a spectacle modeled on France’s Bastille Day, many in the military and political sphere warned the parade sent the wrong message.
“This reeks of North Korea,” said one protester, clutching a sign near the Washington Monument.
Retired military officials have said such parades should honor the troops returning from war, not serve as personalized displays of power during peacetime.
Still, Trump — flanked by Melania Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — stood proudly as helicopters flew overhead and the national anthem echoed across the Mall.
Whether it will be remembered as a show of national strength or presidential vanity, only time — and the history books — will tell.
