Protests, Middle East - and bad weather - may rain on Trump's military parade
Workers construct a security fence, as an image of U.S. President Donald Trump is displayed, ahead of the upcoming U.S. Army 250th anniversary celebration parade, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
A supporter holds a banner with U.S President Donald Trump's picture near the Washington Monument, ahead of the upcoming U.S. Army 250th anniversary celebration parade, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
WASHINGTON - Nationwide protests against President Donald Trump, tensions in the Middle East amid Israel's strikes on Iran and expected rainy weather in Washington on Saturday could dampen spirits at a military parade on the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, set to feature tanks on the streets and aircraft flying overhead.
Trump, whose 79th birthday is also on Saturday, will preside over the parade.
Week-long protests in Los Angeles against Trump's immigration crackdown have spread to multiple cities including Chicago, New York, San Antonio, Texas, and Washington.
The Republican president has ordered National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, a heavily Democratic city - a deployment that California Governor Gavin Newsom has challenged in court.
Anti-Trump groups are planning to hold nearly 2,000 demonstrations of varying sizes across the country to coincide with the parade. Many are taking place under the theme "No Kings," asserting that no individual is above the law.
The protests, if they go as planned, would represent one of the biggest public displays of opposition to Trump since he returned to power in January.
Parade goers in Washington will encounter a massive security presence, with some 18.5 miles (30 km) of 8-foot (2.4 m)-high black fencing, much of it reinforced with concrete traffic barriers, cordoning off streets and surrounding landmarks including the Washington Monument.
The celebrations will cost the U.S. Army between $25 million and $45 million, U.S. officials have told Reuters. That includes the parade itself as well as the cost of moving equipment and housing and feeding the troops.
Critics have called the parade an authoritarian display of power that is wasteful, especially given Trump has said he wants to slash costs throughout the federal government.
"You're not doing it to celebrate the Army's birthday. You're doing it to stroke Donald Trump's ego," Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, an Army combat veteran who lost two legs in the Iraq war, said at a hearing this month.
"If you want to celebrate the Army's birthday by spending $30 million I would recommend you think about something along the lines of maybe spending that money on childcare for military families, perhaps tuition reimbursement for military families."
'I DON'T FEEL LIKE A KING'
At least one organization, RefuseFascism.org, has a permit to hold a march in central Washington that will culminate in a rally opposite the White House. Trump has warned people against protesting at the parade itself, saying that "they're going to be met with very big force."
The protests, and any response by law enforcement agencies, will form a contrasting backdrop to the day-long celebration of the U.S. Army's history, which will seek to honor different eras of military history with uniforms and military weaponry from those periods.
"I don't feel like a king, I have to go through hell to get stuff approved," Trump told reporters on Thursday. "We're not a king, we're not a king at all."
While the Army has said the parade will take place come rain or shine, weather forecasts for Saturday evening show the potential for heavy thunderstorms in the Washington area.
Defenders of the plans say the Army's 250th anniversary is a unique event that deserves an outsized celebration.
The display of U.S. military hardware will take place shortly after one of the nation's closest allies, Israel, launched a barrage of strikes across Iran, which has threatened a harsh response.
RARE SPECTACLE
Military parades in the United States are rare. Other countries usually stage them to celebrate victories in battle or showcase military might.
In 1991, tanks and thousands of troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the ousting of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait in the Gulf War.
Law enforcement agencies are preparing for hundreds of thousands of people to attend Saturday's parade.
Thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from law enforcement agencies from across the country and drones operated by the Secret Service will keep watch overhead.
The Federal Aviation Administration will close down arrivals and departures at Washington's Reagan National Airport during the peak of the celebration.
While the Army has said it has no plans to recognize Trump's birthday, the president will play a major role in the celebrations.
The U.S. Army has brought nearly 7,000 troops into Washington, along with 150 vehicles, including more than 25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored vehicles, four Paladin self-propelled artillery vehicles, and artillery pieces including the M777 and M119.
The flyover will include Apache and Black Hawk helicopters along with Chinooks. Older aircraft like the World War Two-era B-25 bomber and P-51 Mustang will also take part.
The military has taken steps to protect the streets of the capital from any potential damage caused by heavy tanks, including laying down metal plates in some areas.
The Army has said it will pay for any unexpected repairs if needed and has set aside several million dollars in case of damage, although it has said it expects little impact. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Americans march in nationwide protest ahead of Trump's military parade
Hundreds of thousands of Americans protested at rallies and marches in major cities from New York to Los Angeles on June 14. PHOTO: AFP WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK - Hundreds of thousands of Americans protested President Donald Trump at rallies and marches in major cities from New York to Los Angeles on June 14, a day marred by the assassination of a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota and conflict in the Middle East. The protests marked the largest outpouring of opposition to Mr Trump's presidency since he returned to power in January, and came the same day that thousands of military personnel, vehicles and aircraft will roll through and fly above Washington, D.C., in a unusual display of American might. The parade will honour the US Army's 250th anniversary as well as the president's 79th birthday. But Mr Trump's hopes for a day of celebration have been punctuated by violence and discord. National Guard troops and US Marines are on guard in Los Angeles, having been ordered there by Mr Trump to secure the heavily Democratic city amid protests over his immigration policies - a deployment that California Governor Gavin Newsom has challenged in court. Meanwhile, Israel on June 14 pounded Iran with a second barrage of strikes in a bid to destroy its nuclear program after Iran retaliated with strikes the evening before, stoking fears of a mushrooming conflict between the two nations. Anti-Trump groups planned nearly 2,000 demonstrations across the country to coincide with the parade. Many are taking place under the theme 'No Kings', asserting that no individual is above the law. All planned 'No Kings' protests in Minnesota were cancelled following that Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said was the 'politically motivated assassination' of one Democratic lawmaker and wounding of a second. Authorities in Minnesota said that flyers promoting the protests were found in the suspected gunman's car. A massive manhunt was under way. Mr Trump condemned the shootings, saying in a social media post: 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.' The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement it had identified a credible threat against state lawmakers planning to attend a June 14 protest, and had evacuated the state capitol and its grounds. People in Washington for the parade encountered a massive security presence, with some 30km of 2.4-m-high black fencing, much of it reinforced with concrete traffic barriers, cordoning off streets and surrounding landmarks including the Washington Monument. The celebrations will cost the US Army between US$25 million (S$32 million) and US$45 million, US officials have told Reuters. That includes the parade itself as well as the cost of moving equipment and housing and feeding the troops. Critics have called the parade an authoritarian display of power that is wasteful, especially given Mr Trump has said he wants to slash costs throughout the federal government. Mr Bryan Henrie, a Trump supporter, flew in from Texas to celebrate the Army's anniversary and did not see any issues with tanks rolling down the streets of Washington. 'I don't see a controversy. I will celebrate safety and stability any day over anarchy,' 61-year-old Henrie said. 'Shame! Shame!' In Los Angeles, a large crowd of protesters faced a large contingent of Marines guarding the Roybal federal building downtown, the site of clashes between protesters and officers earlier this week. Standing about 10 feet away from the Marines, the crowd yelled in unison, 'Shame! Shame!' and 'Marines, get out of LA!' Despite rain, thousands of people of all ages turned out in and around Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, many carrying homemade signs that played off the 'No Kings' theme. 'No crown for a clown,' said one. Actor Mark Ruffalo was among the demonstrators, wearing a hat that read 'immigrant.' 'We're seeing dehumanizing language towards LGBT people, towards people with autism, towards people with other disabilities, racial minorities, undocumented people,' said Mr Cooper Smith, 20, from upstate New York. 'Somebody's got to show that most Americans are against this.' Thousands packed Chicago's Daley Plaza and surrounding streets on June 14 under the iconic Picasso statue. Some chanted 'Lock him up!' in reference to the president. Mr Allan Hallie, a 70-year-old retired gastroenterologist, travelled from the northwest Indiana town of Ogden Dunes to protest policies of the Trump administration. 'I am quite afraid of the direction of this country,' he said. Members of the far-right Proud Boys, ardent Trump supporters, appeared at an Atlanta 'No Kings' protest, wearing the group's distinctive black and yellow colors. About 400 protesters, organised by a group called marched through Washington and gathered for a rally in a park opposite the White House. Mr Trump had warned people against protesting at the parade itself, saying that 'they're going to be met with very big force'. Sunsara Taylor, a founder of RefuseFascism, told the crowd, 'Today we refuse to accept Donald Trump unleashing the military against the people of this country and in the streets of this country. We say, 'hell no.'' Rare spectacle Military parades in the United States are rare. Other countries usually stage them to celebrate victories in battle or showcase military might. In 1991, tanks and thousands of troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the ousting of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait in the Gulf War. Thousands of agents, officers and specialists will be deployed from law enforcement agencies from across the country and drones operated by the Secret Service will keep watch overhead. The US Army has brought nearly 7,000 troops into Washington, along with 150 vehicles, including more than 25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armoured vehicles, four Paladin self-propelled artillery vehicles, and artillery pieces including the M777 and M119. The flyover will include Apache and Black Hawk helicopters along with Chinooks. Older aircraft like the World War Two-era B-25 bomber and P-51 Mustang will also take part. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Israel and Iran strike at each other in new wave of attacks
TEL AVIV: Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other late on Saturday (Jun 14), stoking fears of a wider conflict after Israel expanded its surprise campaign against its main rival with a strike on the world's biggest gas field. Tehran called off nuclear talks that Washington had said were the only way to halt Israel's bombing, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were nothing compared with what Iran would see in the coming days. Israel's military said on Saturday that more missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel, and it was working to intercept them. It also said it was attacking military targets in Tehran. Iranian state television said Iran had launched missiles and drones at Israel. Several projectiles were visible in the night sky over Jerusalem late on Saturday. Air raid sirens did not sound in the city, but were heard in the northern Israeli city of Haifa. Israel's ambulance service said 14 people were injured, including one critically, at a two-storey house in northern Israel following an Iranian missile strike. Israeli media reported that one person had been killed in the strike. US President Donald Trump had warned Iran of worse to come, but said it was not too late to halt the Israeli campaign if Tehran accepted a sharp downgrading of its nuclear programme. A round of US-Iran nuclear talks due to be held in Oman on Sunday was cancelled, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi saying the discussions could not take place while Iran was being subjected to Israel's "barbarous" attacks. In the first apparent attack to hit Iran's energy infrastructure, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said Iran partially suspended production at the world's biggest gas field after an Israeli strike caused a fire there on Saturday. The South Pars field, offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province, is the source of most of the gas produced in Iran. Fears about potential disruption to the region's oil exports had already driven up oil prices 9 per cent on Friday even though Israel spared Iran's oil and gas on the first day of its attacks. An Iranian general, Esmail Kosari, said on Saturday that Tehran was reviewing whether to close the Strait of Hormuz controlling access to the Gulf for tankers. IRAN SAYS SCORES KILLED Iran said 78 people were killed on the first day of Israel's campaign, and scores more on the second, including 60 when a missile brought down a 14-storey apartment block in Tehran, where 29 of the dead were children. Iran had launched its own retaliatory missile volley on Friday night, killing at least three people in Israel. With Israel saying its operation could last weeks, and Netanyahu urging Iran's people to rise up against their Islamic clerical rulers, fears have grown of a regional conflagration dragging in outside powers. B'Tselem, a leading Israeli human rights organization, said on Saturday that instead of exhausting all possibilities for a diplomatic resolution, Israel's government had chosen to start a war that puts the entire region in danger. Tehran has warned Israel's allies that their military bases in the region would come under fire too if they helped shoot down Iranian missiles. However, 20 months of war in Gaza and a conflict in Lebanon last year have decimated Tehran's strongest regional proxies, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, reducing its options for retaliation. Israel sees Iran's nuclear programme as a threat to its existence, and said the bombardment was designed to avert the last steps to production of a nuclear weapon.

Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 15, 2025
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 15, 2025 Israel and Iran strike at each other in new wave of attacks Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other late on June 14, stoking fears of a wider conflict after Israel expanded its surprise campaign against its main rival with a strike on the world's biggest gas field. Tehran called off nuclear talks that Washington had said were the only way to halt Israel's bombing, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were nothing compared with what Iran would see in the coming days. Israel's military said on June 14 that more missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel, and it was working to intercept them. It also said it was attacking military targets in Tehran. Several projectiles were visible in the night sky over Jerusalem late on June 14. READ MORE HERE Suspect hunted in deadly shooting of US lawmakers A gunman posing as a police officer killed a senior Democratic state assemblywoman and her husband on June 14 in an apparent 'politically motivated assassination,' and wounded a second lawmaker and his spouse, said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and law enforcement officials. A major search backed by the FBI was under way for the suspect, who fled on foot after firing at police and abandoning a vehicle in which officers found a 'manifesto' and a list of other legislators and officials, law enforcement officials said. The list had about 70 names, reported CNN law enforcement analyst John Miller, a former head of FBI public affairs and former chief of intelligence and counterterrorism for the New York Police Department, citing law enforcement sources. READ MORE HERE Ukraine warns against drop in aid due to Israel-Iran Ukraine said on June 14 it hoped the military escalation between Israel and Iran would not lead to a drop in aid to Kyiv, at a time when European support is stalling without US engagement. Israel unleashed large-scale attacks on Iran on June 13, targeting nuclear and military facilities, high-ranking generals and atomic scientists. Iran, in turn, launched barrages of drones and missiles at Israel. The escalation sparked international calls for restraint as fears of broader conflict grow. In Kyiv it also sparked anxiety about future supplies of military aid, fearing Washington might relocate more resources to beef up the defence of its close ally Israel. READ MORE HERE Air India plane crash orphans sisters, as father dies Two young British girls were left orphaned by the Air India plane crash, after their father travelled to the south Asian country to scatter his wife's ashes. Mr Arjun Patoliya was travelling home to his daughters, aged four and eight, after scattering the ashes of his wife Bharti, who had died just weeks earlier, when the plane crashed on June 12. 'The husband went to do the rituals in India and coming back, he was on board. He has left two little girls behind and the girls are now orphans,' said Ms Anjana Patel, the mayor of London's Harrow borough, at a multi-faith vigil for those killed in the June 12 plane crash. READ MORE HERE Rory McIlroy on snubbing media: 'I've earned the right' Rory McIlroy, who has come under fire for avoiding media after six consecutive major championship rounds, ended that silent run on June 14 at the US Open where he said he felt he earned the right to do as he pleases. PGA Tour players are not obligated to speak to the media after their rounds but for someone like world number two McIlroy, who has been the de facto spokesman of the US-based circuit in recent years, it has come to be expected. Following a four-over 74 that left well out of contention at Oakmont Country Club, McIlroy spoke to reporters and was asked if his drop in form since winning the Masters was why he decided to avoid the media outside of pre-tournament availabilities. READ MORE HERE Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.