WASHINGTON − Tanks, armored vehicles and thousands of soldiers will march through the streets of Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary in a massive, expensive and controversial military parade on June 14 – also President Donald Trump‘s 79th birthday.
Helicopters and World War II-era warplanes will fly overhead and Army parachutists will soar down to the White House’s ellipse, where Trump will preside over the parade from a presidential booth. A day-long program of Army-organized activities and music is scheduled before the parade begins at around 6:30 p.m.
Critics say the $40 million parade represents an alarming politicization of the military and bears eerie resemblance to military parades held by North Korea or Russia. Thousands of “No Kings” protests against Trump, the parade, and his ongoing immigration crackdown are also scheduled across the country.
Although weather forecasts predict possible thunderstorms on the evening of June 14 in the nation’s capital, the Trump administration has not announced any contingency plan for a rained-out parade.
Last military parade in D.C. was 1991
Supporters say it’s a much-needed showcase of American pride celebrating the Army, while critics slam it as a president’s ego trip.
But Saturday’s military parade isn’t the first in the nation’s capital. That last one was the National Victory Celebration, which took place June 8, 1991, two months after the end of Operation Desert Storm.
“By God, we’ve kicked the Vietnam syndrome once and for all,” President George H.W. Bush said in March 1991, after the U.S.-led coalition kicked the Iraqi army out of Kuwait in a war that lasted about 100 hours.
Some back then called the parade — which cost about $12 million before inflation — “a waste of time, effort and money,” but mostly it was a patriotic celebration that turned out roughly 800,000 people that didn’t feature nationwide protests.
— Phillip M. Bailey
Trump: A ‘rainy day’ brings good luck
The president isn’t letting a poor forecast dampen his mood as he celebrates his 79th birthday and the Army’s 250th.
“OUR GREAT MILITARY PARADE IS ON, RAIN OR SHINE,” Trump said in a Saturday morning post on Truth Social, his social media platform. “REMEMBER, A RAINY DAY PARADE BRINGS GOOD LUCK. I’LL SEE YOU ALL IN D.C.”
Rain and thunderstorms might damper the massive military showcase as much eastern half of the country are experiencing showers through the weekend. Remember the event is standing room only, according to the Secret Service.
This isn’t the first time Mother Nature has crashed a Trump event. If you recall, in January his second inauguration had to be moved to inside the U.S. Capitol due to intense cold.
— Phillip M. Bailey
Fitness competition underway
Dripping in sweat, U.S. Army Maj. Andres Nanez is proud he and his team finished the fitness competition on the National lawn in 10 minutes and seven seconds.
The timed test of endurance features a rope climb, Echo Bike ride, a three-person dead lift of more than 500 pounds, burpees and more, as spectators cheer on participants.
Nanez left the Fort Bragg base in North Carolina to attend the Saturday’s festivities with his fellow soldiers and family.
“Representing the U.S. Army is what brought us all together and to compete at the biggest stage,” Nanez said. “Definitely enjoying this moment.”
— Rachel Barber
‘God saved Trump so he can save America’
Decked in a red, white, and blue suit embellished with the iconic image of President Donald Trump holding his fist in the air after an assassination attempt in Butler, Penn., Tien Tran drew attention from the crowds at the national Mall Saturday morning.
“I’ve been wearing this since after the assassination attempt. I’ve been to rallies and to the inauguration,” Tran said. “God saved Trump so he could save America and he will save the world.”
He’s in town for one day celebrate the military and Trump’s birthday, which he says he celebrates every year in Orange County, Calif.
He sides with Trump in his ongoing arguments between his state’s governor over deployment of the National Guard after protests following ICE raids, saying Gavin Newsom has “failed” Californians.
“They protest because either they are paid to do so or because they don’t love this country,” he alleged. “I’m a legal immigrant and I love this country and I don’t want to see it being destroyed.”
—Rachel Barber
Don’t forget, it’s Flag Day, too
It isn’t just the president and the Army’s birthdays.
June 14 also is when Old Glory, America’s symbol of freedom with its 50 stars and 13 stripes, is celebrated.
— Phillip M. Bailey
‘It’s pretty cool’: Army’s past on display with historic uniforms
Onlookers will see hundreds of military vehicles and thousands of soldiers on Saturday that will be grouped together for each major era of the Army’s history.
As USA TODAY previously reported, of the roughly 7,000 soldiers flocking to D.C. from bases around the world, about 1,000 will be dressed up in the historical uniforms from Revolutionary War, Civil War, both world wars and other major conflicts.
The costumes were rented from the Motion Picture Costume Company – a Los Angeles-based contractor, and were used at a June 11 performance known as the Twilight Tattoo, which is open to the public weekly from May through July.
“It’s pretty cool,” Private Jonathan Cole, who wore a Gulf War-era camouflage uniform ahead of Saturday’s parade, told USA TODAY.
— Phillip M. Bailey, Cybele Mayes-Osterman
Army recruitment up 10% ahead of Trump parade
Part of Saturday’s parade is making a patriotic appeal to future soldiers after years of the Army struggling to meet its recruitment goals.
U.S. military officials announced the branch met its annual recruiting target of 61,000 in the first week of June, which was a full four months ahead of the scheduled. That is roughly 10% higher than the 55,000 recruits the Army reported having last year.
“This achievement represents a significant turning point for the Army and indicates a renewed sense of patriotism and purpose among America’s youth,” the Army said in a June 3 statement.
Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll attributed the rise to the “decisive leadership” of Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, but others have spotlighted the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which was established in August 2022.
Former Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told the Associated Press, for instance, that the program established under Biden might be responsible for as much as a third of this year’s recruiting totals.
— Phillip M. Bailey
Who does and doesn’t like the Army, Trump b-day parade
As mentioned before, Americas might not like the cost of Saturday’s parade but a plurality do like the idea of holding one.
A new AP-NORC poll found 40% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s decision versus 29% who disapprove.
As you may have expected, Democrats and liberal-leaning Americans aren’t too excited about it. Just 20% approve of the president’s decision while 50% disapprove, according to the survey.
But it’s a hit among Republicans and conservative-minded adults, with a whopping 67% giving Trump a thumbs up compared to only 11% who object.
Among independents, slightly more favor the parade than object with 27% approving and 19% disapproving. The remaining 54% said neither.
— Phillip M. Bailey
American metal on full display
Whatever you might think of Saturday’s parade, there’s no question D.C. streets will feel the weight.
The Army has made special preparations to minimize damage to the roadways as tons of vehicles and artillery will be coming through the nation’s capitol, such as:
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The M1A2/Abrams tank: Arguably, the most impressive and fearsome weapon in the parade, or pretty much anywhere at 70 tons, the tank entered Army service 45 years ago and first saw combat in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. It carries a 120mm cannon, robust armor and has a top speed of 45 mph.
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Stryker vehicle: Variants of these eight-wheeled, armored vehicles can carry infantry soldiers, mortars, command posts and act as ambulances. Strykers can carry up to 11 soldiers and reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.
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The AH-64 Apache: This attack helicopter cuts a menacing silhouette. It destroyed radar installations in Iraq during Desert Storm and provided air cover for convoys and troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan.
— Phillip M. Bailey
Trump, the oldest president, turns 79 today
Saturday’s parade might may also draw attention to Trump being the oldest commander-in-chief in U.S. history.
Born June 14, 1946, when Harry Truman was president, he set the record for oldest person to take office at 78 years and 7 months, ahead of Joe Biden, who was 78 years and 2 months when he took office in January 2021.
The age of American elected officials has been a topic of concern lately, mostly due to questions raised around Biden’s acuity that hounded him for most of his term. Democrats have tried to do the same to Trump, such as when he mixed up the Japanese car company Nissan and the Japanese steel company Nippon last month.
“He is not the same person that I dealt with just four years ago, and he’s incapable of even a train of thought,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said of Trump in a recent interview.
But that narrative hasn’t stuck to Trump, who is known to ramble in public speeches but comes off as more vigorous to the public than Biden did.
— Phillip M. Bailey
Storm clouds hang over parade
Washington’s weather forecast for the day of the parade shows a high of 83 degrees, with showers beginning in the late morning and possible thunderstorms after 2 p.m. local time.
After 6 p.m., when the parade will kick off, forecasters predict a 75% chance of precipitation and some chance of thunder.
The Army said on June 13 that the weather is “being closely monitored and taken into consideration, but at this point nothing has changed.”
‘No Kings’ protests pop up everywhere but DC
More than 1,800 “No Kings” protests against the parade, Trump, and what protesters call his authoritarian policies, are scheduled in cities and towns throughout the world – but not Washington.
Trump first said on June 10 that protests would be met with “very big force.” The White House backtracked days later, and press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump “of course” supports peaceful protests.
Other demonstrators have kept their plans in Washington on the day of the parade, with some fearing a crackdown like the response to protests against widescale deportations in Los Angeles.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Massive Army 250 parade takes over DC on Trump birthday – live updates
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