Protests, Tanks, and Thunderstorms: Trump’s Military Parade for Army’s 250th Anniversary Faces Backlash and Bad Weather

As President Trump presides over a rain-threatened military spectacle on his 79th birthday, nationwide protests, Middle East tensions, and a $45 million price tag fuel criticism of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebration.

President Donald Trump’s military parade in Washington D.C. on June 15, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, is facing a wave of national protests, heavy security lockdowns, and stormy weather, all while global tensions rise amid Israeli airstrikes on Iran. With more than 6,000 troops, 150 military vehicles, and aircraft flyovers planned for the day, the $25–$45 million event has ignited controversy for its timing, symbolism, and cost—especially as it coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.

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Protests Escalate Nationwide as Parade Begins

Anti-Trump sentiment has intensified in the days leading up to the parade. Protests against his immigration crackdown in Los Angeles have now spread to New York, Chicago, San Antonio, and Washington D.C. Over 2,000 demonstrations, many under the “No Kings” banner, are being staged across the country. Organizers emphasize that these actions are designed to reject “strongman politics” and reaffirm that no one is above the law.

The No Kings Day of Defiance, coordinated by groups like the ACLU, Public Citizen, and RefuseFascism.org, will include a major permitted march in Washington, culminating in a rally across from the White House. While many protests are happening outside the capital to reduce confrontation, law enforcement is bracing for massive turnouts.

“If you want to celebrate the Army’s birthday by spending $30 million, think about childcare for military families or tuition reimbursement,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth, a double amputee and Iraq war veteran, criticizing the event as “ego-stroking” and authoritarian in tone.

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Massive Security Measures and Weather Concerns in D.C.

Washington is under tight lockdown, with 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) of 8-foot black fencing, many reinforced with concrete barriers, surrounding the National Mall and monuments. The Federal Aviation Administration will shut down flights at Reagan National Airport during the parade’s peak, and thousands of law enforcement personnel—including drone surveillance by the Secret Service—will monitor the area.

Despite the scale, Trump has warned protesters:

“They’re going to be met with very big force.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that peaceful protest is supported.

Adding to the uncertainty is a forecast of heavy thunderstorms, with rain expected Saturday evening, threatening disruptions to the parade and its concluding 9:45 p.m. fireworks display.

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Parade Highlights and Military Hardware Display

While the Army insists the parade honors its heritage, critics say the massive military spectacle is too closely tied to Trump’s political image. The U.S. Army has brought:

• Nearly 7,000 troops to D.C.
• Over 150 military vehicles, including
  • 25+ M1 Abrams tanks
  • 28 Stryker armored vehicles
  • 4 Paladin self-propelled artillery guns
  • M777 and M119 field howitzers
• Aerial flyover featuring:
  • Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook helicopters
  • WWII-era B-25 bomber and P-51 Mustang fighters

To protect Washington’s roads, the Army has placed steel plates along tank routes and earmarked millions of dollars for possible repairs.

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Historical Context and Political Optics

Military parades in the U.S. are rare. The last comparable event occurred in 1991, celebrating the Gulf War victory. Trump’s admiration for France’s Bastille Day parade led him to request a similar display as early as his first term.

“I don’t feel like a king,” Trump told reporters Thursday.
“I have to go through hell to get stuff approved. We’re not a king.”

But the timing of the parade, following Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard and deployment of U.S. Marines in Los Angeles, combined with Middle East volatility following Israeli strikes on Iran, has deepened criticism.

California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted the parade as a “vulgar display,” warning of the optics resembling “Putin or Kim Jong Un.”

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Rare Moment or Risky Spectacle?

Defenders say the parade is a once-in-a-generation event, marking a historic milestone for the U.S. Army. Critics, however, argue it dangerously blurs lines between patriotism and political pageantry.

With public dissent swelling, military aircraft roaring above, and tanks rumbling through rain-slicked streets, Saturday’s parade may be remembered less for celebration—and more for what it revealed about a deeply divided America.