A parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the armed services and coinciding with the birthday of President Donald Trump, kicks off Saturday with a grand showing of the military’s power throughout the National Mall.
Eighty-four military vehicles, including 28 Abrams tanks, 6,700 marching soldiers and other military presentations, were all on tap for the celebration, which also happened to fall on Trump’s 79th birthday.
When asked Thursday what he hopes the public will remember about the American parade, Trump said, “How great our country is, very simple, and how strong our military is.”
Constitution Avenue stands empty ahead of the US army 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025.
Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images
“We have the strongest military in the world,” he added.
Trump will watch the tanks and soldiers march down Constitution Avenue from a viewing stand near the White House. Toward the end of the event, he will receive a flag from a soldier who will parachute onto the White House Ellipse.
After that, the president will give the oath of enlistment to some 250 soldiers.
The event concludes with fireworks over the Tidal Basin.
Troops prepare for the upcoming U.S. Army 250th anniversary celebration parade, in Washington, D.C., June 13, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
The Army said it has accounted for spending between $25 million and $45 million on the parade, staged on or near the National Mall.
Democrats have slammed the event and its costs.
“Money should be put in medical defense research instead of wasted on some pomp and circumstance for the president,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday. “This is not consistent with what the men and women in uniform deserve.”
People look at a military helicopter with the Capitol in the background, June 13, 2025, on the National Mall in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Security was tight following several recent events, including the ongoing situation between Israel and Iran and the protests that took place in Los Angeles last weekend. In addition, security has been on alert following the targeted shooting of two Minnesota state legislators and their spouses earlier in the day.
A view shows The White House building as the preparations continue for the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday Festival and Parade in Washington, June 13, 2025.
Kent Nishimura/Reuters
Trump’s parade came hours after hundreds of thousands of protesters gathered across the country in mass protests dubbed “No Kings Day.”
From New York to San Francisco and in small towns, protesters stayed peaceful marching down streets with signs and chants against the administration’s policies, including its increased deportation and ICE raids.
Trump brushed off the protests when asked about them Thursday.
“I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved. A king would say I’m not gonna get this,” he said. “No, no, we’re not a king, we’re not a king at all.”
