Trump military parade marks Army’s 250th birthday in Washington, D.C.

Washington — President Trump attended a military parade in Washington, D.C., Saturday to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary, as he also celebrated his 79th birthday.  

The 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade and Celebration, as it’s officially called, featured thousands of soldiers, an array of tanks and other military vehicles, and dozens of aircraft. A large crowd of spectators lined the parade route along the National Mall to watch.

Mr. Trump and first lady Melania Trump walked on stage to the tune of Hail to the Chief and a 21-gun salute before the parade began. Vice President JD Vance, second lady Usha Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth were also in attendance. 

Following the parade, Mr. Trump delivered remarks for about eight minutes where he defended his decision to hold the celebration and praised the Army as the “oldest branch of the greatest fighting force ever known to man.”

“Every other country celebrates their victories,” Mr. Trump said. “It’s about time America did too.”

The military parade began at 6 p.m. ET. (It had been scheduled for 6:30 p.m., but organizers moved up the start time on Saturday due to weather conditions.)

Preparations had been underway all week in Washington, with tanks and other military equipment arriving and fencing going up in parts of the city around the White House and National Mall. 

What’s the purpose of the military parade?

Saturday’s events were intended to mark the 250th birthday of the Army. The U.S. Army was established on June 14, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress, a little over a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed. It was first called the Continental Army, and George Washington was appointed its first commander.

More broadly, the president declared Saturday a celebration of the country, intended to recognize America’s accomplishments both on the battlefield and off it. Mr. Trump has particularly touted America’s victories in World War I and World War II. 

“I think it’s time for us to celebrate a little bit, you know,” the president said Wednesday. “We’ve had a lot of victories. We’ve won two world wars … I think it’s a time to celebrate our military.” 

Military equipment and soldiers, by the numbers

Here’s what Army officials say to expect to see in the parade:

• About 6,600 soldiers
• Six M1A1 Abrams tanks
• Two World War II Sherman tanks
• Eight CH-47 helicopters
• 16 UH-60 Black Hawks
• Four WWII-era P-51 aircraft 

Protests held on Saturday 

Protesters showed their opposition to the military parade and to Mr. Trump himself in cities across the country. 

Labor unions and liberal activists aimed to counter-program the day’s festivities with “No Kings” rallies to protest what they see as Mr. Trump’s overreach in his role as chief executive. 

The organizers had not planned major demonstrations in D.C., although some protesters did congregate across from the White House.

“Instead of allowing this birthday parade to be the center of gravity, we will make action everywhere else the story of America that day: people coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption,” they said on their website. “For that reason, NO KINGS is not hosting an event in Washington, D.C.”

Political backlash to the president’s military parade 

The president’s parade plans have been criticized for both the cost and the optics. As the administration and the Department of Government Efficiency have been touting their efforts to eliminate waste, the parade and festivities to celebrate an armed services branch anniversary are estimated by the Army to cost between $25 million and $45 million. 

“Trump is throwing himself a $30 million birthday parade just to stroke his own ego,” Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a veteran who lost both of her legs in Iraq, said on X last week. 

Some think military parades are evocative of authoritarian regimes. “Never been a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers and big tanks and missiles rolling down the street,” Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky told reporters this week. “So, if you ask me, I wouldn’t have done it.” 

“We were always different than the images you saw of the Soviet Union and North Korea,” Paul added. “We were proud not to be that. And I don’t — I’m not proposing that that’s the image people want to project, but I’m worried about the image that it isn’t necessarily the best image to show.”

Democrats have also criticized the president for warning people against participating in protests against the parade. 

“If there’s any protesters that want to come out, they’re going to be met with very big force,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday. 

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware called the president’s message an “authoritarian tactic.” 

“He wasn’t talking about people who were engaged in violence,” Murphy said of Mr. Trump’s remarks in an interview with podcaster Joe Gallina. “He wasn’t talking about people who were doing property damage in D.C. He just said anybody who comes out to protest my military parade is going to be treated roughly. That’s an authoritarian tactic.” 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, told reporters Wednesday that “the president absolutely supports peaceful protests.” 

“He supports the First Amendment. He supports the right of Americans to make their voices heard,” she continued. “He does not support violence of any kind. He does not support assaulting law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their job.”

What is the schedule? 

8:15 a.m. – Wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Fitness competition and awards ceremony on the National Mall

11 a.m.-6 p.m. – Army Birthday Festival on the National Mall

6 p.m.-7 p.m. – U.S. Army 250th Birthday Parade

9:45 p.m. – Fireworks on the National Mall

Here’s the parade route 

The parade route runs along Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., parallel to the National Mall. It kicks off at 23rd Street NW, near the Lincoln Memorial, before proceeding along the Mall past the White House and the Washington Monument. It concludes at 15th Street NW. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and should run for about an hour.

The parade and other festivities mean traffic will be shut down or restricted in large swaths of downtown Washington. Visitors are encouraged to take public transit or walk, rather than drive. 

Eleanor Watson

contributed to this report.