The Army is set to celebrate 250 years with a parade that coincides with Trump's birthday
WASHINGTON — A massive military parade unfolding against the backdrop of President Donald Trump's unconventional flex of fighting forces in American streets this week is on track to begin Saturday evening with tanks, bands and thousands of troops.
The parade, honoring the Army's long-planned 250th anniversary celebration and coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday, is set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial under the threat of stormy weather in Washington and the potential for protests around the country tied to a turbulent week of immigration enforcement that has involved military deployment in Los Angeles.
Trump has brushed off the possibility of both disruptions, with a social media post Saturday morning that 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.'
Added just a few weeks ago to the Army's birthday celebration, the parade has triggered criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million 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 down along the route.
About 6 in 10 Americans say Saturday's parade is 'not a good use' of government money, including the vast majority of people, 78%, who neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
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, inviting an array of lawsuits and accusations that he is politicizing the military. 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 were directed to stand behind Trump and they 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 Defense 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 fulfills Trump's expressed desire for a big parade that he tried to get done in his first term after seeing one in France on Bastille Day in 2017. Trump said that after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs-Élysées, he wanted an even grander one on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Saturday's event is expected to include about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks, as well as possibly 200,000 attendees and heightened security to match.
The parade will wind down Constitution Avenue, which is already lined with security fencing and barriers. Army helicopters and aircraft will fly above, and the march will be capped off by a parachute jump, a concert featuring 'God Bless the U.S.A.' singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks.
Hours before the parade was scheduled to start, vendors set up shop on along Pennsylvania Avenue in anticipation of the expected large crowds. Large snowplows blocked off vehicle traffic, allowing pedestrians to walk on the historic street and visit vendors selling art, souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, beverages and food including funnel cakes and lobster rolls.
A daylong festival features fitness competitions, demonstrations, equipment displays, music and a cake-cutting ceremony. A line to enter stretched nearly half a block, with attendees sporting apparel celebrating both the Army and Trump. Outside the festival gates, a large video board promoted careers in the Army, urging onlookers to consider enlistment.
It remained unclear whether any protests might disrupt the parade, though several hundred assembled in the hours before. Officials have said they so far have no indication of any security threat.
'No Kings' rallies — organizers picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration — planned in hundreds of citiesnationwide are meant to counter what organizers say are Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
Ahead of a planned rally and march toward the White House on Saturday afternoon, about 200 protesters assembling in northwest Washington's Logan Circle handed out signs and danced to upbeat music from a local street band, including 'This Land Is Your Land.'
The mood was celebratory as the group chanted 'Trump must go now' before erupting in cheers.
A larger than life puppet of Trump was wheeled through the crowd, a caricature of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet.
Other protesters waved pride flags and hoisted signs, some with pointed messages such as 'I prefer crushed ICE,' 'The invasion was HERE Jan. 6th, NOT in L.A.' and 'Flip me off if you're a FASCIST.'
With rain expected, there is a chance the parade could be interrupted by thunderstorms.
The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend the festival and parade.
The parade is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT, but parts of it — including the horse-drawn caissons and other units — start at the Pentagon, head over a bridge and meet up with some of the heavier tanks and equipment. Officials did not want the more-than-60-ton M1A1 Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles crossing the bridge.
Timed down to the minute, the march will be divided into sections by history — with equipment and troops in full dress from each period.
It will include a total of 6,169 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery, while 62 aircraft fly overhead.
At the end of the parade, Trump will swear in 250 new or reenlisting troops, and the Army's Golden Knights parachute team will jump onto the Mall. That will be followed by the concert and fireworks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
A scrambled G7 agenda as world leaders scramble to de-escalate the Israel-Iran conflict
The return on Donald Trump to the G7 was always going to be unpredictable. That it is happening against the backdrop of an escalating conflict in the Middle East makes it even more so. Expectations had already been low, with the Canadian hosts cautioning against the normal joint communique at the end of the summit, mindful that this group of leaders would struggle to find consensus. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney carefully laid down an agenda that was uncontroversial in a bid to avoid any blow-ups between President Trump and allies, who of late have been divided like never before - be it over tariffs and trade, Russia and Ukraine, or, more recently Israel's conduct in Gaza. But discussions around critical minerals and global supply chains will undoubtedly drop down the agenda as leaders convene at a precarious moment. Keir Starmer, on his way over to Canada for a bi-lateral meeting in Ottawa with PM Carney before travelling onto the G7 summit in Kananaskis, underscored the gravity of the situation as he again spoke of de-escalation, while also confirmed that the UK was deploying more British fighter jets to the region amid threats from Tehran that it will attack UK bases if London helps defend Israel against airstrikes. Really this is a G7 agenda scrambled as world leaders scramble to de-escalate the worst fighting between Tel Aviv and Tehran in decades. President Trump has for months been urging Israel not to strike Iran as he worked towards a diplomatic deal to halt uranium enrichment. Further talks had been due on Sunday - but are now not expected to go ahead. All eyes will be on Trump in the coming days, to see if the US - Israel's closest ally - will call on Israel to rein in its assault. The US has so far not participated in any joint attacks with Tel Aviv, but is moving warships and other military assets to the Middle East. Sir Keir, who has managed to strike the first trade deal with Trump, will want to leverage his "good relationship" with the US leader at the G7 to press for de-escalation in the Middle East, while he also hopes to use the summit to further discuss the further the interests of Ukraine with Trump and raise again the prospects of Russian sanctions. "We've got President Zelenskyy coming so that provides a good opportunity for us to discuss again as a group," the PM told me on the flight over to Canada. "My long-standing view is, we need to get Russia to the table for an unconditional ceasefire. That's not been really straightforward. But we do need to be clear about what we need to get to the table and that if that doesn't happen, sanctions will undoubtedly be part of the discussion at the G7." But that the leaders are not planning for a joint communique - a document outlining what the leaders have agreed - tells you a lot. When they last gathered with Trump in Canada for the G7 back in 2018, the US president rather spectacularly fell out with Justin Trudeau when the former Canadian president threatened to retaliate against US tariffs and refused to sign the G7 agreement. Since then, Trump has spoken of his desire to turn Canada into the 51st state of the US, a suggestion that helped catapult the Liberal Party beyond their Conservative rivals and back into power in the recent Canadian elections, as Mark Carney stood on a ticket of confronting Trump's aggression. With so much disagreement between the US and allies, it is hard to see where progress might be made over the next couple of days. But what these leaders will agree on is the need to take down the temperature in the Middle East and for all the unpredictability around these relationships, what is certain is a sense of urgency around Iran and Israel that could find these increasingly disparate allies on common ground.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
See photos, video from SLO ‘No Kings' rally as thousands gather to protest Trump
Thousands of people gathered in downtown San Luis Obispo on Saturday as part of a national 'No Kings Day' demonstration protesting the Trump administration. Organizers estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 people joined in the San Luis Obispo protest, gathering in front of the downtown courthouse with signs reading 'No kings!' and 'Save democracy!' 'No Kings': Thousands gather in SLO County to protest Trump Speakers included California Senator John Laird and County Supervisor Jimmy Paulding. After the speeches, protestors took to the streets in San Luis Obispo, marching and chanting as they passed through downtown. See photos from the protest below.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump's ‘gold card' visa scheme is pure gilded nonsense
President Donald Trump announced, back on February 25, that his administration would soon debut a 'gold card,' an immigration program that would allow wealthy foreigners, for the low, low price of $5 million, to become lawful permanent residents of the United States. At the time, Trump touted the program as a 'great' and 'fantastic' revenue generation strategy that would help reduce the national deficit, which approached $2 trillion during the most recent fiscal year. Shopify just killed UX design 'No Kings Day' map, speakers, cities: Everything to know about today's protests Ram Trucks fires up a near-perfect brand apology ad 'Wealthy people will be coming into our country by buying this card, they'll be wealthy and they'll be successful, and they'll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people,' Trump said. He told reporters that gold card buyers would not be required to pay tax on their income outside the United States; that the program was 'totally legal' and 'all worked out from the legal standpoint'—and that he expected it to go live within two weeks. 'Two weeks,' confirmed Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, standing behind Trump in the Oval Office. When Trump estimated that the government could raise an easy $5 trillion by selling 'maybe a million' gold cards, Lutnick was unable to suppress a chuckle of delight. 'Wow!' he said. Today, though, anyone hoping to relocate to a budding police state where riot cops might shoot you point-blank for looking at them is still waiting for the chance to cut a check. In mid-March, Lutnick said during a podcast interview that gold cards would be available in 'about two weeks,' and claimed he'd presold 1,000 already. (I assume these sales, to the extent they exist, are handshake deals, since the alternative would involve the Secretary of Commerce personally collecting $5 billion and stashing it God knows where.) On April 3, Trump showed reporters a physical gold card bearing his scowling face and seismogram signature, and (again) said it would be out in 'less than two weeks.' But the delays kept coming. On April 11, Lutnick announced that gold cards would be available 'within a week and a half.' On May 21, he moved the goalposts even further, revealing that a website where 'people can start to register' for gold cards would be online in 'about a week.' On Thursday—three weeks after that update, for those keeping score— at last went live. Trump celebrated the launch on Truth Social as a way to 'ride a beautiful road in gaining access to the Greatest Country and Market anywhere.' On Fox Business, Lutnick claimed to have logged 25,000 sign-ups in 15 hours. But he also acknowledged that these are waiting list spots, and that the administration is still 'getting everything set up.' The website itself most closely resembles an especially lazy phishing attempt; its only content is a contact submission form assuring prospective buyers that the gold card is 'coming,' and urging them to provide their email addresses to 'get notified the moment access opens.' The White House's struggles to get this initiative off the ground demonstrate just how unprepared Trump is for the basic work of governing, on the rare occasions that he expresses any interest in engaging in it. A key part of his pitch to voters has always been that, as an outsider to politics, only he has the Business Guy Mindset necessary to transform the federal government from a bureaucratic morass into a slickly branded, profitable enterprise. But fulfilling his more ambitious promises is always harder than he expects. As a result, an idea that Trump once suggested would single-handedly wipe out this country's $36 trillion national debt is, four months later, still taking the form of a bare-bones website that looks like it is soliciting interest in a new over-the-counter erectile dysfunction medication. At the announcement earlier this year, Trump explained that gold cards would replace the existing EB-5 visa program, which allows immigrants to obtain green cards if they invest at least $800,000 (and usually more) in a new business, and create at least 10 full-time jobs in the United States. In a Cabinet meeting, Lutnick clarified that the gold card program would technically 'modify' the EB-5 visa program, allowing buyers to obtain a 'license' from the Department of Commerce that would entitle them to make a 'proper' EB-5 investment. In response to a question from reporters, Trump asserted that the program does not require legislation because it allows buyers to obtain lawful permanent resident status and a 'very strong path to citizenship,' but does not directly confer U.S. citizenship. In news I am sure will astonish you, Trump and his handlers do not appear to have a firm grasp on the legal intricacies here. Congress, not the president, has the authority to create, modify, or end visa programs like EB-5. Federal law limits EB-5 visas to around 10,000 per year, which is of course nowhere near the million units Trump and Lutnick imagine selling in short order. The amount of the required capital investment, too, is set by statute, and nothing in the law would allow Trump to increase it to $5 million just because he feels like it. His distinction between programs that confer citizenship and programs that only confer lawful permanent resident status is nonsensical, as is Lutnick's reference to a 'license' from the Department of Commerce. Depending on what he has in mind, Trump's promise that gold card holders will enjoy some form of VIP treatment—'green card privileges plus,' he called it—probably also hinges on Congress's willingness and ability to pass a law to that effect. Absent congressional action, Trump's best bet for making this work might involve using his statutory authority to allow gold card buyers to enter the United States on the grounds that doing so entails a 'significant public benefit,' since a willingness to fork over $5 million to the Treasury Department arguably qualifies as such. But this status—the product of a legal process known as parole—is typically temporary, and is not even considered a form of 'admission' to the United States. It also would not make gold card buyers lawful permanent residents or give them a path to citizenship, which are things that people who pay that much would reasonably expect to get in return. Given that the Trump administration has spent the last several months gleefully repudiating the very concept of parole, I understand not wanting to pay seven figures for the right to be in the country for as long as Stephen Miller feels like allowing it. The lingering uncertainty around the program's specifics has resulted in a gold card market that is likely cooler than Trump might have imagined. Earlier this month, NPR interviewed several immigration attorneys who said they'd fielded inquiries from wealthy foreigners who are eager to pay up—which is, to be fair, exactly what I would say if I were an immigration lawyer contacted by a national publication for comment about a program aimed at potential clients who have at least $5 million in cash. Other experts, though, told NPR they anticipate sales in the low thousands; one explained that callers often lose interest once they find out that the $5 million is not an EB-5-style investment that they might recoup, but a de facto donation to the U.S. government. (As London School of Economics professor Kristin Surak points out, if you're a rich person looking to pick up another passport, why pay $5 million for a glorified green card when you can buy Maltese citizenship, and thus the right to live anywhere in the European Union, for about a fifth of the cost?) Nuri Katz, a Canada-based immigration consultant, told Bloomberg that he would expect a grand total of '50 to 200' applicants for Trump gold cards; more recently, in Forbes, he hypothesized that the White House is 'backpedaling' on the proposal because it realized it would 'have to expend a lot of political capital in order to get this done.' Perhaps there was a time when more than a handful of people might have been interested in ponying up for 'green card privileges plus,' whatever that may entail. But regardless of the legal form that Trump gold cards eventually take, the basic challenge of selling them will be that that they are branded with the face of an unabashed xenophobe whose administration is waging a global trade war, trying to bar foreign-born students and academics from entering the country, torpedoing international educational exchange programs, attempting to end birthright citizenship, and snatching noncitizens (and sometimes citizens) off the streets. Chances are that if you are privileged enough to be able to pay $5 million for the right to live in the United States, you are wise enough to decide that that money is better spent on something else. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
