By Ethan Caldwell 
President Donald Trump presided over a grand military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, coinciding with his 79th birthday on Saturday. The event, featuring over 6,000 troops, 128 tanks, and 62 aircraft, was met with significant opposition as millions participated in “No Kings” protests across more than 2,000 cities and towns nationwide, denouncing the parade as a symbol of authoritarianism and protesting Trump’s broader policies, including aggressive immigration enforcement.
The parade, estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, showcased military might along Constitution Avenue with tanks, Black Hawk helicopters, and a parachute jump by the Army’s Golden Knights. Despite Trump’s claim of 250,000 attendees, independent estimates suggest far fewer spectators, with empty bleachers and rain-dampened crowds contributing to a lackluster turnout. President Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, led an Oath of Enlistment for 250 new and reenlisting soldiers, framing the event as a celebration of American victories. However, critics, including Senators Tammy Duckworth and Rand Paul, condemned the parade as a costly “ego trip” reminiscent of Soviet-style displays.
Simultaneously, the “No Kings” protests, organized by groups like Indivisible, drew an estimated 4 to 6 million participants nationwide, dwarfing the parade’s attendance. From Los Angeles to Philadelphia, demonstrators rallied against Trump’s deployment of National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles, his immigration crackdowns, and perceived threats to democratic norms. While largely peaceful, the protests saw violent incidents, including a shooting in Salt Lake City that left one person critically injured and an SUV intentionally striking a protester in Culpeper, Virginia. In Washington, D.C., over 30 people were hospitalized due to heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and minor injuries during the parade and protests, with no arrests reported in the capital.
“We are here to reject strongman politics and reaffirm our commitment to democracy,” said Leah Greenberg, co-founder of Indivisible, at a flagship “No Kings” rally in Philadelphia. “This parade is not about the Army—it’s about one man’s vanity.” Organizers deliberately avoided a major D.C. protest to focus on nationwide demonstrations, with banners reading “No Thrones, No Crowns, No Kings” and “Deport Kings, Not Families” seen from coast to coast.
The White House, through Communications Director Steven Cheung, dismissed the protests as a “complete failure with minuscule attendance,” while claiming the parade drew significant support. However, posts on X and media reports highlighted the stark contrast between the sparsely attended parade and the massive protest turnout, with some mocking the event’s corporate sponsors like Coinbase and Oracle, and a malfunctioning antique tank symbolizing its perceived shortcomings.
The parade and protests underscore a deeply divided America, with Trump’s supporters celebrating the display of military strength and opponents viewing it as a dangerous politicization of the armed forces. As cleanup crews restored normalcy to D.C. on Sunday, the nation braces for continued tensions, with legal challenges to Trump’s policies, including a California lawsuit over federal troop deployments, set for hearings this week.
Andreas Lundberg 
Dale Chaucer