Military parade barrels through Washington with tanks, troops and 21-gun salute

CBC

19 hours ago

The grand military parade that President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barrelled down Constitution Avenue on Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, playing out against the counterpoint of protests around the country by those who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and dark clouds shrouded the Washington Monument.
The procession with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 army tanks was one Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when the parade was added to an event recognizing the army's 250th anniversary.
Up above, the army's Golden Knights parachute team appeared in the overcast sky, descending toward the reviewing stand.
The team had been scheduled to jump at the end of the parade, but appeared in the skies above the National Mall far earlier than planned as a light rain fell.
At times, Trump stood and saluted as troops marched past the reviewing stand.
Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the country to sound off against the Republican president.
They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the U.S. capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said "Homes not drones" not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall set up to commemorate the army's birthday.
Vendors outside the festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Trump-themed merchandise.
Parade has faced criticism
Doug Haynes, a navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, but said that the parade "was a little over the top." Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a "very bold statement to the world, perhaps."
Trump had brushed off the possibility of weather or protest disruptions.
In a social media post Saturday morning, he said the "great military parade" would be on "rain or shine." The protests, he said earlier, "will be met with very big force."
Hours ahead of the parade, crowds of protesters with anti-Trump signs marched toward the White House, escorted by police vehicles and officers on bicycles.
Some held a giant banner that read: "TRUMP MUST GO NOW."
The parade was added just a few weeks ago to the planned celebration of the army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million US and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets.
The army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route.
About six in 10 Americans said Saturday's parade was "not a good use" of government money.
The vast majority of people, 78 per cent, said they neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Larry Stallard, a retired American Airlines pilot, travelled to Washington from Kansas City for the weekend "to see the military and see Trump."
Stallard, who voted for Trump, said it was "hard to believe" people are upset about the cost of the event when "they blow that in 10 seconds on things that we don't even need."
Trump using military might
The daylong display of America's Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided.
In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the U.S. marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
He similarly sought to project military strength during his first presidential term, saying in 2020 that he wanted forces to "dominate" the streets following racial justice protests that turned violent and warning governors that he was prepared to send in active-duty fighters if they did not call out the National Guard in their states.
Earlier this week, Trump raised eyebrows during a speech at Fort Bragg when members of the 82nd Airborne Division, who were directed to stand behind Trump, booed and cheered during his incendiary remarks, including condemnation of his predecessor, Joe Biden.
There also was a pop-up "Make America Great Again" merchandise stand nearby selling souvenirs to troops in uniform.
The Defence Department has a doctrine that prohibits troops from participating in political activity while in uniform.
Members of Congress and military leaders have expressed concerns about the political displays during the speech at Fort Bragg.
The parade included about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks, all of it viewed by cheering spectators in an atmosphere of heightened security.
PHOTOS | How Washington prepared for the military parade:
The parade wound down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers.
A flyover of military aircraft included Second World War-era planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, and army helicopters flew low over the crowd, below the top of the Washington Monument.
Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division made an appearance — horses once played a crucial role in warfare, but today they're mostly used in ceremonial events like Saturday's parade.
The night also was to include a concert featuring God Bless the U.S.A. singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks.