Military parade kicks off in Washington amid protests

The Advertiser

10 hours ago

The grand military parade that US President Donald Trump has long been wanting has kicked off with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, while protesters around the country decried the leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early as light rain fell and dark clouds loomed.
It's a procession Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when it was added to an event recognising the Army's 250th anniversary.
Hours before the parade was set to start, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to denounce the Republican president as a dictator or would-be king.
They criticised Trump for using the military to respond to those protesting his deportation efforts and for sending tanks, thousands of marching troops and military aircraft out for a show in the US capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said "Homes not drones" not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall.
The military procession was set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial later on Saturday, under the threat of stormy weather and to the accompaniment of protests elsewhere in the city.
Trump 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."
The parade has also drawn 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 along the route.
The daylong display of the US Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other US presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the US Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
Saturday's pageantry was designed to fulfill Trump's expressed desire for a big parade after seeing one in Paris on Bastille Day in 2017.
The 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.
"No Kings" rallies — organisers picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration — unfolding in hundreds of cities — were meant to counter what organisers say are Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend the festival and parade.
Timed down to the minute, the march will be divided into sections by history — with equipment and troops in full dress from each period.
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 a concert and fireworks.
The grand military parade that US President Donald Trump has long been wanting has kicked off with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, while protesters around the country decried the leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early as light rain fell and dark clouds loomed.
It's a procession Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when it was added to an event recognising the Army's 250th anniversary.
Hours before the parade was set to start, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to denounce the Republican president as a dictator or would-be king.
They criticised Trump for using the military to respond to those protesting his deportation efforts and for sending tanks, thousands of marching troops and military aircraft out for a show in the US capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said "Homes not drones" not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall.
The military procession was set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial later on Saturday, under the threat of stormy weather and to the accompaniment of protests elsewhere in the city.
Trump 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."
The parade has also drawn 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 along the route.
The daylong display of the US Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other US presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the US Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
Saturday's pageantry was designed to fulfill Trump's expressed desire for a big parade after seeing one in Paris on Bastille Day in 2017.
The 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.
"No Kings" rallies — organisers picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration — unfolding in hundreds of cities — were meant to counter what organisers say are Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend the festival and parade.
Timed down to the minute, the march will be divided into sections by history — with equipment and troops in full dress from each period.
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 a concert and fireworks.
The grand military parade that US President Donald Trump has long been wanting has kicked off with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, while protesters around the country decried the leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early as light rain fell and dark clouds loomed.
It's a procession Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when it was added to an event recognising the Army's 250th anniversary.
Hours before the parade was set to start, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to denounce the Republican president as a dictator or would-be king.
They criticised Trump for using the military to respond to those protesting his deportation efforts and for sending tanks, thousands of marching troops and military aircraft out for a show in the US capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said "Homes not drones" not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall.
The military procession was set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial later on Saturday, under the threat of stormy weather and to the accompaniment of protests elsewhere in the city.
Trump 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."
The parade has also drawn 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 along the route.
The daylong display of the US Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other US presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the US Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
Saturday's pageantry was designed to fulfill Trump's expressed desire for a big parade after seeing one in Paris on Bastille Day in 2017.
The 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.
"No Kings" rallies — organisers picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration — unfolding in hundreds of cities — were meant to counter what organisers say are Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend the festival and parade.
Timed down to the minute, the march will be divided into sections by history — with equipment and troops in full dress from each period.
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 a concert and fireworks.
The grand military parade that US President Donald Trump has long been wanting has kicked off with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, while protesters around the country decried the leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early as light rain fell and dark clouds loomed.
It's a procession Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when it was added to an event recognising the Army's 250th anniversary.
Hours before the parade was set to start, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to denounce the Republican president as a dictator or would-be king.
They criticised Trump for using the military to respond to those protesting his deportation efforts and for sending tanks, thousands of marching troops and military aircraft out for a show in the US capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said "Homes not drones" not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall.
The military procession was set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial later on Saturday, under the threat of stormy weather and to the accompaniment of protests elsewhere in the city.
Trump 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."
The parade has also drawn 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 along the route.
The daylong display of the US Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other US presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the US Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
Saturday's pageantry was designed to fulfill Trump's expressed desire for a big parade after seeing one in Paris on Bastille Day in 2017.
The 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.
"No Kings" rallies — organisers picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration — unfolding in hundreds of cities — were meant to counter what organisers say are Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend the festival and parade.
Timed down to the minute, the march will be divided into sections by history — with equipment and troops in full dress from each period.
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 a concert and fireworks.