In pictures: US army celebrates its 250th year as Trump fetes his 79th, with fanfare
In scenes of celebration, protest and trepidation Saturday, masses of Americans cheered for a rousing Army parade like none seen in Washington, DC in generations even as more rallied across the country against a president derided by his critics as an authoritarian, would-be king.
On Saturday, the US Army turned 250 and President Donald Trump 79. The double birthday bash energised crowds of well-wishers and military families in the capital while others decried the militarisation of city streets – both in Los Angeles, where a federalized National Guard and US Marines remained deployed against unrest, and in Washington, for the parade.
Across the nation, the fault lines of American life were evident.
'One nation under distress,' read a sign carried in a crowd of 1,000 protesters on the grounds of Florida's old Capitol in Tallahassee. Forewarned of a heavy state response if the crowd caused any trouble, organisers implored the peaceful protesters to not so much as jaywalk.
Yet, in his Trump 2024 shirt, retired American Airlines pilot Larry Stallard in Washington happily lived out 'one thing on my bucket list' from his perch on the parade route. Stallard, 82, came from Kansas City for the event. He declared Trump 'one of the best presidents in my lifetime' and concluded, 'It's been a long day, but it's worth it'.
Trump's remarks, about eight minutes, at the parade were brief for him as he capped the show he had longed for in his first term and, early in his second, finally got.
A Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, slated to be used in the US Army's 250th Birthday Celebration and Parade, lands on the National Mall near the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2025. © Alexander Drago, Reuters.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump pose for a photo with Army soldiers who reenlisted during a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, June 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. © Julia Demaree Nikhinson, AP.
A military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, June 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. © Jacquelyn Martin, AP.
A team member competes in the rope climb portion of the Army fitness competition during a festival event to honour the Army's 250th anniversary, on June 14, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington, DC. © Rod Lamkey, Jr., AP.
Soldiers in historical military uniforms participate in a military parade on June 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. © Jacquelyn Martin, AP.
Military helicopters fly by the Washington Monument during the parade on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. © Jacquelyn Martin, AP.
Members of the US Army Golden Knights parachute team perform during a military parade to commemorate the US Army's 250th Birthday in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025. © Nathan Howard, Reuters.
US President Donald Trump, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and First Lady Melania Trump attend the US Army's 250th Birthday parade on June 14, 2025. © Carlos Barria, Reuters.
First Lieutenant Zachary Buher, a member of the US Army's Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division operates a M1A2 SEP V3 tank in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025. © Brian Snyder, Reuters.
US Army 2nd Lt. Hayle Mayer, left, and Corporal Addison Merrell, watch fireworks at the Washington Monument while attending the military parade on June 14, 2025, in Washington, DC. Jacquelyn Martin, AP.
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