A military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. – AP
WASHINGTON (AFP): Parachutists glided through the air as soldiers marched and tanks groaned through the barricaded streets of Washington on Saturday (June 14) during a military parade long-coveted by US President Donald Trump, as a largely quiet crowd watched on.
On the National Mall, enclosed within almost 32km of high-security fencing, nearly 7,000 soldiers and about 150 military vehicles paraded to intermittent cheers.
Rain had threatened to wash out the event but it never came, much to the relief of those lining the four-lane street that runs past the White House, where Trump stood watching and frequently saluting the passing troops.
The crowd was mostly quiet as soldiers in uniforms dating back to the 1700s marched past, bar the occasional shouts of "Thank you, Army!" that spurred cheers and whoops.
Many wore Trump's signature red "Make America Great Again" baseball caps, but others attending made clear they supported the Army – but opposed the norm-bending president.
"Personally, I'm not a fan of Trump, but I'm a fan of the Army," said Andrew Smith, 24, whose brother serves in the military.
"I feel like we can separate politics and what we stand for, and then hopefully get along," he added.
Beat Fascism!
Marty Wrin echoed the sentiments expressed among the crowds of protesters gathered outside the parade area in Washington, and around the country Saturday.
"I'm proud to be American," insisted the 56-year-old IT worker from Washington, wearing a hat saying "resist" and holding a sign saying "Go Army. Beat Fascism!"
"I'm proud of our democracy, and I'm worried about our democracy right now for the first time in my life," he told AFP.
Wrin said he was impressed by the parade, but did not like something he associated with dictatorships happening on US streets.
"It's the Army being used by Trump to make himself feel more powerful," he said.
With cloudy skies overhead, people stood on tiptoes to catch a glimpse of the military gear on display.
Several children sat on their parents' shoulders to get a better view and waved back to soldiers sitting atop tanks and other armoured vehicles.
Michele Sabat, who said she had attended several past Trump rallies, told AFP she was thrilled that she had travelled from Pennsylvania to watch the parade.
"I wanted to honour the military, I feel it's the right thing to do. They protect us, they save us, and you've got to respect them," the retired 68-year-old said.
She sat on a curb next to Camila Rodriguez, 30, watching as thousands of troops marched by in the largest such parade in decades.
Rodriguez, an auditor from Boston, said she was impressed by what she saw.
"All the troops... There's so many of them. So anything to support them," she said.
"I will always be here for that." – AFP
US President Donald Trump stands and salutes during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade from the Ellipse in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025. Trump's long-held dream of a parade will come true as nearly 7,000 troops plus dozens of tanks and helicopters rumble through the capital in an event officially marking the 250th anniversary of the US army which also coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP
Members of the US Army soldiers wearing the uniforms of the Commander-in-Chief's Guard from the Revolutionary War, march during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025. – AFP
Members of the US Army and armoured vehicles move across the Memorial Bridge during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025. – AFP
A military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. – AP
A military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. The Washington Monument stands left. – AP
CH-47 Chinook Helicopters fly past US flags at the Washington Monument during the Army 250th Birthday military parade in Washington DC on Saturday, June 14, 2025. – AFP
A girl waves at a squad of helicopters as they do a flyover during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025. US President Donald Trump reveled in a long dreamt-of military parade on his 79th birthday Saturday, as demonstrators across the country branded him a dictator in the biggest protests since his return to power. – AFP
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch fireworks after the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025. – AFP
US Army robot dogs go past during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025. – AFP
US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters fly past the Washington Monument during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025. – AFP
A US soldier climbs a rope as he participates in a fitness competition during the Army 250th Anniversary Parade on the National Mall in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025.– AFP
A crowd of people attend a military parade to commemorate the US Army's 250th Birthday on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C. – Reuters
A person holds a sign during a protest on the day of the Army’s 250th Birthday Parade in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 14, 2025. – Reuters
