Trump addresses military parade as US Army celebrates 250th anniversary amid protests across America | World News
US President Donald Trump, who had long sought a grand military parade, barreled down through the streets of downtown Washington on Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute amid the protests thousands of Americans across the country against Trump’s actions in office.
Commemorating the celebration of the US Army’s 250th anniversary, the procession witnessed more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks as the Republican president sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House on his 79th birthday to watch the might of the American military. Trump tried to make the military parade happen during his first tenure after seeing it in Paris in 2017 but it couldn’t happen.
The colors are presented as President Donald Trump attends a military parade commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, in Washington. (AP Photo)
However, the military parade procession to mark US Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday celebration was marred with violence and protests in the country as hundreds of protesters rallied in the streets in cities from Los Angeles to New York to Chicago against the actions being taken the Trump adminration, including immigration raids.
WATCH: President Donald J. Trump Swears In @USArmy Troops at the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AzIk5JJBov
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 15, 2025
Earlier in the day, assassination of a Democratic lawmaker and another being shot and injured a gunman in Minnesota deteriorated the law and order situation. The gunman still remains at large. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said that the shooting appeared to be “politically motivated”.
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In the midst of it all, thousands of spectators lined up outside the Constitution Avenue near the National Mall as the parade got underway with a brass band. In the military parade, the US Army got 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.
US officials told Reuters that the celebration would cost the military between $25 million and $45 million, which includes the cost of moving equipment and housing and feeding the troops and the parade itself.
