Trump celebrates U.S. military might amid tensions at home and abroad

Politico

17 hours ago

President Donald Trump on Saturday celebrated his birthday at the massive military parade he's dreamed of for eight years.
It was a fête befitting of the approach Trump has taken as commander-in-chief, using military iconography to telegraph strength to opponents, foreign and domestic.
'Time and again America's enemies have learned that if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you,' Trump said. 'Your defeat will be certain. Your demise will be final, and your downfall will be total and complete.'
His speech, which focused on lauding the Army's history, was a more disciplined and marked departure from the more campaign rally-like events Trump presided over in recent weeks at Fort Bragg and West Point.
Still, across the nation, hundreds of thousands saw Saturday's events in the nation's capital in a more ominous light, marching in 'No Kings' protests aimed at highlighting the ways in which demonstrators argue Trump has acted more like a dictator than a president.
But in Washington it was mostly calm. At the parade, people in MAGA gear and Army veteran garb looked on as soldiers in modern-day and historical uniforms, tanks, drones and other military vehicles — even a robotic dog — paraded down Constitution Avenue. Trump and other top officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, were stationed at a viewing stand near the end of the parade route. Attack helicopters and historic military planes soared overhead at points during the parade.
Still, Trump has moved the country away from its decadeslong role of global policeman. But recent incidents are testing whether that approach can hold, with Israel and Iran trading strikes since Thursday night — and no clear plan for a ceasefire to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
'Tonight, we affirm with unwavering certainty that in the years ahead ... the American soldier will be there,' Trump said, without mentioning any ongoing conflicts. 'No matter the risk, no matter the obstacles, our warriors will charge into battle.'
The president's remarks capped a daylong celebration of the Army's 250th birthday — which also included the parade and a fireworks show. Saturday also happened to be Trump's 79th birthday — with attendees at one point singing him 'Happy Birthday' along the parade route.
It was the display of military might Trump has long wanted — especially after he accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to a 2017 Bastille Day parade where troops marched down the Champs-Élysées and military jets left trails of red, white, and blue smoke. Though officials looked into the possibility during his first term, aides advised him against following through on those plans.
Critics questioned the cost in the run-up to the event — which Army officials have said will be between $25 million and $50 million — and slammed it as an unnecessary and authoritarian show of force. In addition to France, China, Russia and North Korea also routinely hold military parades. Several dozen GOP lawmakers also told POLITICO this week they planned to skip the parade.
'I wouldn't have done it,' Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told NBC News this week. ' I'm not sure what the actual expense of it is, but I'm not really, you know, we were always different than, you know, the images you saw in the Soviet Union and North Korea. We were proud not to be that.'
Plans for the Army's birthday celebration were in the works well before Trump won the 2024 election, but they took on new life under his administration.
Before the parade, thousands of people — mostly families — milled around the National Mall where the Army positioned artillery, armored vehicles and other hardware for the public to admire and stand beside for photos. It was more like a July 4th celebration or county fair than the prelude to the largest military parade Washington has seen in decades.
Any protests or dissent felt remote as the crowd — some wearing hats and t-shirts proclaiming their veteran status — ambled in the heat between helicopters and Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
It was a far cry from scenes in Los Angeles where police used flash bangs and tear gas to disperse crowds protesting federal immigration raids.
And it comes amid a tense political climate after two Minnesota state lawmakers were shot, and one of them killed, early Saturday morning. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz described the shootings — which also claimed the life of one of the lawmaker's spouses — as a 'politically motivated assassination.'
The attacks rattled political leaders in both parties and left them calling for a deescalation of political rhetoric. Minnesota's congressional delegation — including Republican Rep. Tom Emmer, the House GOP whip, and Democratic Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar — put out a joint statement condemning the attack.
'Today we speak with one voice to express our outrage, grief, and condemnation of this horrible attack on public servants,' they said.There is no place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence.'