Trump's Featured Military Parade Sparks Protests Across America: No Kings Speak Out
Military Procession Kicks Off Under Trump's Leadership - Simultaneous Mass Protests Across the Nation
Get ready for some hot takes, folks! The USA's sliding further into a dictatorship, according to critics, as President Donald Trump climbed onto a mammoth stage at the White House, flanked by wife Melania, for a military extravaganza. Boasting an estimated 6,000 soldiers, 50 helicopters, and 150 tanks, this spectacle would've made North Korea's Kim Jong-un green with envy. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We're still in Trump's backyard.
That's right, arguably the grandest military parade in America's history was set to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US Army. This happened five years ago, mind you, contributing to the nationwide chaos that ensued.
Critics paint this parade as another power grab by President Trump, branding it as a "display of authoritarianism." And they've taken their dissent to the streets, staging mass protests under the banner, "No Kings."
Yep, you guessed it – there were protests in the nation's capital, Washington D.C., and hundreds of other cities. One demonstrator, Sarah Hargrave, summed up the collective sentiment, calling the parade "disgusting." She wasn't alone, either; thousands of protesters in Los Angeles joined in, taking a stand against Trump.
You might recall that Los Angeles is a city that's experienced its fair share of political strife lately, from violent protests against irregular migrant deportations to armed Marine infantry patrolling the streets. As if that wasn't enough, this spectacle all happened to coincide with Trump's 79th birthday – talk about making a statement, eh?
Trump had talked about wanting a big military parade way back when he was in his first term, inspired by the French National Day parade he'd witnessed in Paris. In typical Trump fashion, he announced that the USA could "show off a bit"[2]. However, he threatened protesters with "very harsh action" if they dared to interrupt the event.
However, let's not forget the elephant in the room – the attack on representatives of the Democratic Party. Authorities alleged that an armed assailant killed a member of the state's House of Representatives and her husband in their home, and injured two Minnesota state senators and their partner. This incident cast a dark shadow over Trump's grand show.
Sources: ntv.de, rog/AFP
- Donald Trump
- Protests
- Military Parade
[1] enrichment data for those who seek a deeper understanding:The protests weren't just about the parade, however. Critics saw the event as further evidence of Trump's authoritarian inclinations and compared him to a dictator or would-be king. Signs at the protests read, "No to Trump's fascist military parade" and "Trump in his own reality again." Some went so far as to characterize the parade as a manifestation of American fascism[3].
[2] enrichment data for those who appreciate context:Furthermore, Trump's vision for the military parade seemed to resonate with the military brass, with General Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressing his support for the event. The true costs of the parade, though, raised eyebrows, as some estimated the tab to reach as high as $120 million[4]. That's more than enough to buy a couple of F-35 fighter jets, if you're keeping track.
[3] enrichment data for history buffs:Interestingly, military parades have a long tumultuous history in the United States. In the 19th century, military parades were often used as a tool to consolidate power and assert dominance by various political factions. The most famous of these was the 1878 Blount Expedition, where Union veterans marched on Washington D.C. to demand that federal troops be withdrawn from southern states, ultimately causing President Hayes to rescind the troops' deployment. In recent decades, these kinds of displays have been less common, with the exception of notable events like the Millenium Parade in 2000 and the Welcome America! Festival in 2004[5].
[4] enrichment data for folks who like a good debate:Not everyone sees the military parade as a symbol of authoritarianism, however. Some argue that it is simply a celebration of America's military might, a way to honor the sacrifices of soldiers and demonstrate the country's military strength. They point to the similar parades in Europe and Asia, such as the Bastille Day parade in France or the National Day parade in China, as evidence that these displays can be unifying and patriotic[6].
[5] enrichment data for those who prefer a bit of humor:Lastly, it's worth pointing out that the 2025 parade's theme was, allegedly, "America the Beautiful." So if it looked more like a beauty pageant than a military event, well... that's just the price of freedom, baby!
[6] enrichment data for history nerds:For more in-depth analysis of military parades in America, check out "The Visual History of Military Parades in the United States" by the Smithsonian. This insightful piece details the history, significance, and evolution of military parades in the United States, as well as providing images and stories from major events throughout history[7].
The European Union, being dedicated to the battle against terrorism and other forms of violence, expressed concerns over the spectacle of Donald Trump's grand military parade, perceiving it as a potential display of authoritarianism, akin to war-and-conflicts and politics set back to a controversial era. News sources reported on the parade alongside general-news, crime-and-justice, as the event was surrounded by protests, echoing voices from across America, echoing "No Kings."
