Topline
President Donald Trump kicked off an unprecedented military-style parade in Washington, D.C.—commemorating the Army’s 250th anniversary and his 79th birthday—as millions across the country took to the streets to protest, rallying against his expanded immigration raids and a spending bill projected to slash healthcare access for millions.
Timeline
As the military parade in D.C. continues, the Los Angeles Police Department cleared what appeared to be a peaceful protest in the city’s downtown area with tear gas and officers on horseback, making dispersal orders that have been ignored by some demonstrators, the Associated Press reported.
Modern Army forces equipped with next-generation firearms alongside vehicles and a combat drone pass Trump administration officials during the parade.
Among the major cable news networks, CNN and MSNBC are cutting back and forth between coverage of the parade, the “No Kings” protests and the manhunt for the suspect in the Minnesota political assassination—while Fox News is only covering Trump’s parade.
Troops donning Vietnam-era uniforms marched in the parade, followed by an appearance from aerial vehicles such as the Bell UH-1 helicopter, also known as the Huey.
The military parade began, displaying troops in period uniforms from the Revolutionary War to World War II and rolling out vehicles from each era.
Rain began falling along Constitution Avenue, though organizers said prior to Saturday the only weather condition that could potentially stop the parade would be lightning.
Kentucky resident Kristen Stephens, on the parade route, lauded Trump for the parade, telling Forbes, “I think American is back with President Trump. It’s OK to be patriotic.”
Sus and Rob Corkrum attended Trump’s military parade from Washington state, with Sus telling Forbes she did not care about the event coinciding with Trump’s birthday, saying, “he’s the first person who’s bringing everybody together to celebrate the Army.”
Texas law enforcement shut down the state’s capitol building in Austin and closed off surrounding areas hours before a “No Kings” protest was set to begin, the Associated Press reported, citing concerns from the Texas Department of Public Safety over “a credible threat toward state lawmakers planning to attend.”
Tear gas was deployed against protesters demonstrating near Atlanta, according to multiple outlets, though it is unclear what caused police to briefly use the dispersion tactic.
The Minnesota State Patrol encouraged the public to avoid planned “No Kings Day” protests in St. Paul and across the state after state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot in apparent politically motivated attacks. (Go here for updates.)
This morning on TruthSocial, Trump posted “This is a big day for America.”
Capitol Police arrested around 60 veterans and military family members protesting Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, at the Supreme Court
What Time Does Trump’s Military Parade Start?
The parade is expected to begin at 6:30 p.m. local time by the Lincoln Memorial, with plans to continue down Constitution Ave. along the National Mall, past the White House and the Washington Monument and concluding with Trump’s birthday festival at 8 p.m., according to an official map for the event found on the Army’s website (see below). A White House spokesperson told NBC News that showers and thunderstorms could delay the event, with most of the day expected to be dry and cloudy. Organizers have said that the parade will go forward “rain or shine,” CBS News reports. Most major broadcast and cable news outlets, as well as the Army, plan to stream the march live.
What Will The Event Include?
- The Army is also hosting a 250th birthday festival with events scheduled throughout the day, including a fitness contest, military demonstrations, a National Football League workshop, live music and more—open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- From 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., the parade will run along the National Mall and will be followed by a concert at the Ellipse in front of the White House and a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m., CBS News reports.
- The Army has said the parade could cost up to $45 million, according to ABC News, and will include about 6,700 soldiers, dozens of tanks and military vehicles, eight marching bands, dozens of horses and a concluding fireworks show for Trump’s birthday celebration.
When And Where Are The Biggest ‘no Kings’ Protests?
The scheduled large-scale protests against the parade, part of a “national day of defiance” that over 100 civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and 50501 are labeling “No Kings,” have been planned across more than 2,000 cities and towns, according to The Guardian.
- Bryant Park in New York at 2 p.m. EDT.
- Houston City Hall in Houston at 10 a.m. CDT.
- Love Park in Philadelphia at 12 p.m. EDT.
- Daley Plaza in Chicago at 12 p.m. CDT.
- Arizona State Capitol in Arizona at 9 a.m. MST.
- First Ward Park in Charlotte, NC at 11 a.m. EDT.
- Liberty Plaza in Atlanta at 10 a.m. EDT.
- Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles at 11:30 a.m. PST.
- Mariposa Basin Park in Albuquerque at 11 a.m. MDT.
- Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park in Denver at 12 p.m. MDT.
Where Has The National Guard Been Deployed In Advance Of The ‘no Kings’ Protests?
Only in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops on Thursday, as well as over 2,000 state police, to “maintain order at these protests,” he posted on X. In Mississippi, nearly 280 National Guard members were activated, but to help security in D.C. Nearly 4,000 guard members and 700 Marines have been deployed to Los Angeles since the beginning of the protests there.
What Security Precautions Are In Place In D.c.?
WTOP News reported “tight security” in place for Saturday’s festival and parade, with separate security entrances for each event. A Secret Service agent told WTOP there will be 18-and-a-half miles of antiscale fencing, 17 miles of bike racks, concrete barriers, 175 magnetometers and officers from federal, state and local agencies.