Militaristic Festival Ignites Furor: Trump's Extravaganza Honors US Armed Forces - Multitudes Rise Against Trump Across the Nation
U.S. President Trump expresses appreciation for nation's military forces - massive protests across the nation
Social media ablaze, many view the spectacle as a further slip towards autocracy: On his 79th birthday, Donald Trump salutes in Washington amidst a military parade flaunting tanks across the capital. Meanwhile, millions denounce Trump nationwide in simultaneous demonstrations.
US President Donald Trump applauded the US Army on its 248th anniversary. Staring out over a sea of soldiers in partly historical uniforms and military vehicles like tanks, he declared, "Whatever adversity arrives, the American soldier will forever stand tall." Vice President JD Vance joined his sentiment, congratulating Trump on both his birthday and the anniversary.
Donald Trump and his wife Melania made a grand entrance in front of the White House, greeted by salutes and the national anthem. An estimated 6,000 soldiers, 50 helicopters, and 150 tanks took part in this unusual show. The parade coincided with Trump's 79th birthday.
anti-Trump Uprising
In response, over five million demonstrators marched under the slogan "No Kings" across the nation. Protests occurred in major cities like Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. Demonstrator Sarah Hargrave scorned the military parade as a "manifestation of authoritarianism." She voiced her displeasure at a rally in the Washington suburb of Bethesda.
Thousands also flooded the streets of Los Angeles against Trump. In the second-largest US city, where protests against the detention of unauthorized immigrants recently erupted into violence, armed Marine Corps soldiers were deployed.
A Bit of Boasting
Trump had initially desired a large military parade during his first term, intrigued by France's Bastille Day parades. Before the event, he proclaimed the USA could "strap on a bit of swagger." Trump warned protesters of "severe action" if they attempted to disrupt the proceedings.
The parade had been overshadowed by a targeted shooting of politicians from the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Minnesota. An individual armed with a gun killed a state House member and her husband in their home, according to authorities. He also shot at a state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, injuring both. The perpetrator remained at large following the attack.
Sources: ntv.de, rog/AFP
- Donald Trump
- Washington
- Military
Insight: In 2018, Donald Trump's proposal of a military parade in Washington D.C. sparked debate due to concerns about cost, appropriateness, and potential disruptions. The high cost was a significant point of contention, with critics arguing that the funds could be better spent elsewhere. Some perceived the idea as a display of authoritarianism, which is more commonly associated with authoritarian regimes rather than democratic societies. The proposed parade did not proceed as planned due to opposition and logistical issues, but in subsequent years, Trump hosted a military-themed event on July 4, 2019. In 2025, another military parade in Washington D.C. was planned, concurrently marking Trump's birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, igniting renewed debate about the costs and implications of such displays.
The European Union, showing solidarity in the fight against terrorism and authoritarianism, has expressed concern over Donald Trump's militaristic parade in Washington, viewing it as a step towards autocracy, a type of politics found in war-and-conflicts and general news. In light of the ongoing debates about Trump's proposed military parades, some Europeans perceive these displays as a sign of boasting and a manifestation of authoritarianism, contrasting with the democratic principles they uphold.
