Tank commander Trump now weighs up rolling over the courts
A joke did the rounds among officials in Washington last week when dozens of tanks (and thousands of soldiers) rolled into the capital: 'Los Angeles was the rehearsal. The Trump coup is coming to DC.'
The military parade held on Saturday, ostensibly to celebrate 250 years of the US army, but also on the president's 79th birthday, was the sort of thing that would not have looked out of place in Moscow or Pyongyang.
Nor would President Trump's deployment of US marines and more than 2,000 National Guard troops on the West Coast to clamp down on protests against his immigration enforcement raids.
Vehicles lined up along the National Mall in Washington before the military parade
CHIP SOMODEVILLA/GETTY IMAGES
Trump's decision to seize control of the California National Guard from Gavin Newsom, the state's Democrat governor, has roused both his supporters and his critics.
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The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Donald Trump hails US Army as historic parade takes over DC while violent clashes erupt at ‘No Kings' march in LA
DONALD Trump hailed the historic US military parade in Washington DC as elsewhere in the country there were violent clashes at protests. Trump posted "what a GREAT parade" on his Truth Social page after a day of stark contrasts across the US - as thousands also took part in "No Kings" marches against the president's adminstration. 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 Washington DC welcomed a full-throated celebration of the US Army & American history with fireworks and the incredible scenes of troops and tanks rumbling through the streets. Trump addressed the military and gathered crowds in DC - warning those who threaten the US amid the looming threat of new war in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. He said: "Time and again America's enemies have learned that if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you. "Your defeat will be certain. Your demise will be final, and your downfall will be total and complete. "Because our soldiers never give up. Never surrender and never, ever quit. They fight, fight, fight. And they win, win, win." While elsewhere large protests gathered in many cities - with organisers saying 60,000 turned out in LA and another 75,000 showed up in New York. Peaceful marches were marred once again by violent scenes. last weekend's of anti-ICE raid riots. LA police said they used batons to disperse the crowd after people began hurling "rocks, bricks, bottles and fireworks" at them. And meanwhile there was a shooting during a 10,000 strong protest in Salt Lake City, with police saying it was "possibly associated" with the march. 21 21 21 21 21 21 Northern Virginia also saw an SUV driven into a crowd of protesters hitting at least one person. And in Minnesota many rallies were cancelled after the fatal shooting of a state lawmaker and the wounding of another by an on-the-run gunman who had "No Kings" fliers in his car. Meanwhile, patriotic tunes filled the air in Washington DC as Trump turned 79, with his grand military spectacle commemorating the US Army's 250th anniversary. The grandiose military parade showcased soldiers, sailors, airmen and US Marines with them all marching in their uniforms in front of thousands of excited spectators. As many as 7,000 troops and seven band contingents participated in the show. They were accompanied by at least 150 military vehicles and some 50 aircraft. 21 21 21 21 21 21 Some 2,000 civilians also marched alongside the US military. The Army said as many as 200,000 people were in attendance at the festival and parade. For years, the president is said to have had his eyes on a full-blown military show, but has failed to put up a working plan - until now. Plans were to roll out battle tanks, massive military equipment, and aircraft and missiles, just as Trump first envisioned the parade during his first term. Among the military equipment flaunted was M1A1 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, World War II Sherman tanks and four WWII-era P-51 aircraft. The whole celebration was enclosed with an 18-mile ring of steel to protect the parade. Trump said: "Thanks to their extraordinary service and devotion, 250 years later, America stands tall." "America stands proud, and America stands free. We're the hottest country in the world right now. "And our country will soon be greater and stronger than ever before." Scroll down to read through our day's coverage on the parade with The Sun's live blog below... 14th Jun 2025, 14:43 By Sayan Bose Crowds begin to come in for the parade
Daily Mail
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The best and worst dressed at Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C. sees Melania and Tiffany steal the show
President Donald Trump celebrates his 79th birthday as he presides over a military parade in Washington, D.C. to mark the Army's 250th anniversary. However, Saturday's procession was not the only thing that caught viewers' eye where glamorous guests, including Trump's wife Melania and daughter Tiffany, stepped out in effortlessly chic looks. There were also some attendees who seemingly missed the mark with a series of fashion faux pas, including Don Jr's girlfriend Bettina Anderson, so here's the best and worst looks from the spectacular event... SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO BEST DRESSED Suits her: Melania Trump looks smart in a beige pinstripe skirt suit paired with point-toe gray heels as she leads the way for the parade down the National Mall in Washington, D.C. WORST DRESSED No effort: Donald Trump Jr's girlfriend Bettina Anderson misses the mark with her all-white ensemble that features a pleat-detail long-sleeve shirt and matching skirt, to which she adds a singular pop of color in the form of a small red purse We see you: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth takes a risk with his nod towards military matters by adding a prominent camouflage neck tie to his formal dark blue suit
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Trump: I had nothing to do with attack on Iran
Donald Trump angrily denied that American forces participated in Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear weapons projects after Tehran alleged American involvement. The Islamic regime claimed it has 'solid proof' that US forces supported Israel in their long-range strikes, having previously promised reprisals against the likes of the UK and France. But in a social media post at about 1am in Washington DC, the US President said: 'The US had nothing to do with the attack on Iran, tonight. 'If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before.' Mr Trump also used his veiled threat of violence against Iran to further his diplomatic efforts to convince the Islamic Republic to end its efforts to build a nuclear weapon. 'We can easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel, and end this bloody conflict,' he wrote. His intervention came as Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, used a televised address to claim that the US had supported Israel's attacks on his country. 'We have solid proof of the support of the American forces and American bases in the region for the attacks of the Zionist regime military forces,' he said. Mr Araghchi proceeded to claim that he didn't want the escalating conflict to spread outside the confines of Iran and Israel, but said Tehran would not hesitate to strike any of the Jewish state's allies if they become involved. There is no evidence to suggest American involvement in the initial set of strikes by Israel against Iran's underground nuclear facilities, except the use of US-made fighter jets, which the IDF is known to possess. However, US officials have confirmed their forces' involvement in the downing of ballistic missiles fired by Iran at Israel late on Friday. Washington is known to have a Patriot air-defence battery deployed in Israel, as well as a Navy destroyer in the Mediterranean. The UK has previously been involved in similar defensive operations assisting Israel down Iranian-launched missiles and drones. But officials in London have claimed the British military has not assisted this time round. The Royal Air Force has, however, dispatched extra assets, including combat aircraft, to its base in Cyprus. Iran has said it would strike British and French bases in and around the Middle East if their forces helped Israel defend itself against Tehran's long-range salvos. Away from its main operating base in Cyprus, RAF Akrotiri, the UK has a number of airbases across the Middle East, including in Oman and the UAE. The British bases are all within range of Iran's known arsenal of ballistic missiles, which are notoriously difficult to intercept. Rachel Reeves has indicated that the UK could 'potentially' support Israel amid the conflict in the Middle East. She told Sky News that she was 'not going to rule anything out at this stage' given the 'fast-moving situation'. Asked whether the UK would come to Israel's aid if asked, the Chancellor told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: 'We have, in the past, supported Israel when there have been missiles coming in. 'I'm not going to comment on what might happen in the future, but so far, we haven't been involved, and we're sending in assets to both protect ourselves and also potentially to support our allies.'
