What all happened at Trump’s military day parade amid ‘No Kings’ protest across US | World News
US President Donald Trump, who marked his 79th birthday on June 14, attended a military parade in Washington DC to celebrate the US Army’s 250th anniversary. The parade featured thousands of soldiers, an array of tanks and other military vehicles, and aircrafts. The parade witnessed thousands of spectators who watched the US military from the National Mall.
Amid the 21-gun salutes to the tune of Hail to the Chief, President Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump walked on the stage at the start of the event. Among the notable attendees, Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth were present. Following the US military’s parade, Trump gave his remark where he defended the decision to hold the celebration and praised the US Army as the “oldest branch of the greatest fighting force ever known to man.”
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump watch fireworks following a parade to honor the Army’s 250th anniversary, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, in Washington. (The New York Times via AP, Pool)
What did Trump say at military parade
President Donald Trump praised the US Army and defended the decision to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the forces and said “Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did, too.” During his 10-minute speech, Trump focused on the dangers the US Army has faced and their courage in colorful language.
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
Trump thanked the military and their families and mentioned troops “frostbitten feet and bloody fs” and the US military driving “bayonets into the heart of siner empires.” The Republican president added “Our soldiers never give up, never surrender and never ever quit, they fight fight fight and win win win.”
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Demonstrators yell during a demonstration against President Donald Trump policies in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
‘No Kings’ rallies in hundreds of US cities
As President Trump celebrated the 250th anniversary of the US Army, hundreds of thousands of Americans marched and protested on the streets of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia among others against the actions and decisions taken Trump since he returned to the White House in January, more specifically the recent immigration raids.
Labour unions and liberal activs joined the protests to counter the festivities prepared in Washington DC with “No Kings” rallies, which projects Trump’s overreaching role as the chief executive. However, the organizers had not planned for a demonstration in DC but a few protesters did surround the White House, CBS News reported.
Military equipment and soldiers
The US officials said the parade witnessed:
More than 6,600 soldiers
Six M1A1 Abrams tanks
Four World War-II era P-51 aircraft
16 UH-60 Black Hawks
Eight CH-47 helicopters
