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Washington, June 14: The streets of the capital saw tanks, troops, helicopters, and crowds converging in a spectacle that was part patriotic celebration, part political lightning rod. Saturday’s parade marked 250 years of the U.S. Army, but it was hard to ignore that it also marked Donald Trump’s 79th birthday—a detail that shaped much of how the day was perceived.
The Parade Itself Was Massive. But So Was the Subtext.
By late afternoon, Constitution Avenue was sealed off. Troops stood in formation. Blackhawks beat overhead. Onlookers waved flags. Vendors sold everything from “Support the Army” T-shirts to MAGA hats, depending on which block you were on.
What was officially billed as a tribute to the military turned, for many, into something else. Trump didn’t just attend—he spoke, posed, and officiated over the reenlistment of 250 soldiers. That alone isn’t unusual. But when you combine that with campaign-style signage and political merchandise being sold just a few feet away, the mood shifted.
“Is it a celebration or a rally?” one observer muttered near the Lincoln Memorial, almost to himself.
Trouble Started Before the First Tank Rolled
Earlier in the week, Trump had appeared at Fort Bragg, where active-duty troops stood behind him as he blasted President Biden. Video clips showed some soldiers reacting—laughing, booing, clapping. Military protocol says active personnel shouldn’t be part of partisan displays. That’s not a suggestion. It’s policy.
Defense officials have acknowledged the footage and said the matter is being looked into. But the damage may already be done, according to several retired officers. One former general told reporters off-record: “This kind of imagery doesn’t go away. It sticks.”
Money, Asphalt, and Steel Plates
Then there’s the money. Local authorities estimate the total cost of the parade somewhere between $25 million and $45 million. That includes steel reinforcements for roads, extra police presence, and logistical movement of tanks and helicopters into a highly congested urban zone.
Public opinion doesn’t appear to be on the side of the budget. A survey by AP-NORC showed that 60% of Americans didn’t think this was a wise use of public funds. Most of them weren’t necessarily against the idea of a parade—they just didn’t think this was the time or the way.
One Army spouse watching from the curb near 7th Street NW said, “I’m proud of our troops. Always. But there’s a difference between respect and pageantry. This feels like it leaned too far toward the latter.”
Protests, Puppets, and ‘No Kings’
About 200 protesters gathered in Logan Circle before marching toward the parade route. They called their rally “No Kings”, a pointed reference to what they see as authoritarian behavior from Trump and his supporters.
The group wasn’t violent. There were chants, a brass band playing folk songs, and signs that pulled no punches: “Crush ICE, Not Democracy” and “Jan. 6 Was the Real Invasion.” The centerpiece was a puppet of Trump sitting on a golden toilet, wearing a paper crown.
“We came to make a statement,” said Mira Patel, a protester from Arlington. “You don’t salute tanks for one man’s birthday. That’s not what this country’s about.”
Veterans Feel the Tension
Among veterans, reactions weren’t uniform. Some appreciated the moment. Others walked away before it was over.
“I served for twenty years,” said James Riley, a former Marine. “And I can tell you, this doesn’t feel like something the Marines I knew would be proud of. It’s not about the tanks. It’s about the message.”
There were also quiet moments—a child saluting a passing column of soldiers, a pair of Vietnam vets standing side by side in silence, one of them wiping away tears.
When Patriotism Meets Politics
The day ended with a concert by Lee Greenwood, followed by fireworks over the National Mall. Trump waved. Supporters cheered. Protesters dispersed. D.C. street cleaners waited just off the side, ready to move in.
In the end, the parade did what many expected: it celebrated the Army, sure—but also stirred debate about the use of military power in political spaces. Whether this becomes a regular feature of national celebrations or remains a one-off moment in time, nobody knows yet.
But on this particular June 14, the nation’s capital didn’t just celebrate its soldiers. It revealed, again, how divided the country remains over what symbols really mean.
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