President Donald Trump celebrated the “combating spirit and unyielding drive” of the American army in remarks following a parade in Washington, D.C. commemorating the 250th anniversary of the armed providers that noticed a grand displaying of the army’s energy all through the Nationwide Mall.
In all, 84 army autos, together with 28 Abrams tanks, 6,700 marching troopers and different army shows, rolled by means of the streets of Washington for the celebration, which additionally occurred to fall on Trump’s 79th birthday.
With dangerous climate within the forecast, the parade began a half hour early — at 6 p.m.
Safety was tight following a number of current occasions, together with the continued state of affairs between Israel and Iran and the protests over immigration raids that started in Los Angeles final weekend. As well as, safety has been on alert following the focused capturing of two Minnesota state legislators and their spouses earlier within the day.
Because the parade in D.C. was underway, protests on the West Coast gave the impression to be intensifying. After hours of peaceable protest within the metropolis as a part of the nationwide “No Kings Day” demonstrations, Los Angeles police and different businesses started aggressively clearing the streets in downtown LA, the place protestors had pushed up in opposition to police traces.
Trump’s remarks, coming on the finish of the parade, have been temporary and didn’t stray into political terrain or point out present occasions.
“Right now we commemorate a date that didn’t simply change America’s historical past however the historical past of your entire world,” Trump mentioned, referring to the military’s birthday.
He touted the army’s would possibly and supplied a warning to America’s enemies.
“It has carried out a lot and set the satan himself flying into full retreat,” Trump mentioned of the U.S. army. Repeatedly America’s enemies have realized for those who threaten the American folks, our troopers are coming for you. Your defeat can be sure. Your demise can be last. And your downfall can be complete and full.”
President Donald Trump and First Girl Melania Trump together with others collect on stage to look at the Military 250th Anniversary Parade from the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025.
Mandel and/AFP
Members of the usArmy cross Arlington Memorial Bridge to begin the parade down Structure Avenue marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Military, June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Photos
Members of the usArmy cross Arlington Memorial Bridge to begin the parade down Structure Avenue marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Military, June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Photos
Who was in attendance on the DC parade?
President Donald and first girl Melania Trump attend a army parade to commemorate the U.S. Military’s 250th Birthday, on the day of his 79th birthday, in Washington, D.C., June 14, 2025.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Trump arrived with First Girl Melania Trump, watching the procession march down Structure Avenue from a viewing stand close to the White Home. Trump stood and saluted the troops as they handed.
ABC Information noticed some folks within the crowd sporting MAGA hats and others burst into singing “Pleased Birthday,” because the parade was about to start.
Additionally in attendance have been Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Military soldier and Guardsman, and Vice President JD Vance, a Marine veteran, and his household.
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, who served within the Nationwide Guard, additionally attended.
Vice President JD Vance, Second Girl Usha Vance and their son arrive to look at the Military 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025.
Mandel and/AFP
President Donald Trump, Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth and first girl Melania Trump gesture whereas they hearken to the U.S. nationwide anthem in the course of the U.S. Military’s 250th Birthday parade, on the identical day of President Donald Trump 79th birthday, in Washington, D.C., June 14, 2025.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
Members of the U.S. Military Parachute Staff participate in a army parade to commemorate the U.S. Military’s 250th Birthday in Washington, D.C., June 14, 2025.
Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
A member of the Golden Knights, the US Military’s parachute demonstration and competitors staff, lands in entrance of the White Home in the course of the Military 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025.
Mandel and/AFP
Because the parade kicked off, troopers marched in uniforms that represented America’s greatest armed conflicts from the Revolutionary Conflict to the Conflict on Terror.
A World Conflict I period car passes the reviewing stand as President Donald Trump attends a army parade commemorating the Military’s 250th anniversary, coinciding together with his 79th birthday, June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Troopers wearing World Conflict I uniforms march within the army parade, on June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Samuel Core / Getty Photos
Troopers wearing Revolutionary Conflict uniforms march at the beginning of the army parade, on June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Photos
There have been crowds alongside the parade route however they didn’t look like packed by means of the aspect streets all through the Mall.
Guests collect close to the Washington Monument to look at a parade and celebration marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Military, June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos
Folks watch the Military 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025.
Mandel and/AFP
Structure Avenue stands empty forward of the US military 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025.
Alex Wroblewski/AFP through Getty Photos
In the course of the occasion, Trump obtained a flag from a soldier who parachuted onto the White Home Ellipse.
The president additionally gave the oath of enlistment to some 250 troopers.
“Welcome to the US Military and have a fantastic life,” Trump mentioned after the swearing-in.
When requested Thursday what he hopes the general public will bear in mind in regards to the American parade, Trump mentioned, “How nice our nation is, quite simple, and the way sturdy our army is.”
“Now we have the strongest army on the planet,” he added.
The occasion concludes with fireworks over the Tidal Basin.
Members of the usArmy parade down Structure Avenue marking the 250th birthday of the U.S. Military, June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Samuel Core / Getty Photos
The Military mentioned it has accounted for spending between $25 million and $45 million on the parade, staged on or close to the Nationwide Mall.
About 6 in 10 People say that Saturday’s parade is “not use” of presidency cash, in line with a brand new ballot from The Related Press-NORC Heart for Public Affairs Analysis.
Democrats have slammed the occasion and its prices.
“Cash ought to be put in medical protection analysis as a substitute of wasted on some pomp and circumstance for the president,” Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Sick., mentioned throughout a Senate Appropriations Committee listening to with Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday. “This isn’t according to what the women and men in uniform deserve.”
Trump’s parade got here hours after tons of of 1000’s of protesters gathered throughout the nation in mass protests dubbed “No Kings Day.”
From New York to San Francisco and in small cities, protesters stayed peaceable marching down streets with indicators and chants in opposition to the administration’s insurance policies, together with its elevated deportation and ICE raids.
Folks have a look at a army helicopter with the Capitol within the background, June 13, 2025, on the Nationwide Mall in Washington.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Trump dismissed the protests when requested about them Thursday.
Troops put together for the upcoming U.S. Military 250th anniversary celebration parade, in Washington, D.C., June 13, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
“I do not really feel like a king. I’ve to undergo hell to get stuff permitted. A king would say I’m not gonna get this,” he mentioned. “No, no, we’re not a king, we’re not a king in any respect.”
