The grand military parade that President Donald Trump had been wanting for years barrelled down Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., on Saturday with tanks, troops and a 21-gun salute, playing out against the counterpoint of protests across the country by those who decried the U.S. leader as a dictator and would-be king.
The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and dark clouds shrouded the Washington Monument.
The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 army tanks, was one Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until this year, when the parade was added to an event recognizing the army's 250th anniversary.
"Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did, too," Trump declared in brief remarks at the parade's end.
The president praised the strength of the military's fighting forces and said U.S. soldiers "fight, fight fight and they win, win win" — putting a new twist on a line that Trump regularly delivered during his 2024 campaign rallies after he survived an assassination attempt.
Early in the evening's pageantry, the army's Golden Knights parachute team appeared in the overcast sky, descending toward the reviewing stand.
The team had been scheduled to jump at the end of the parade, but it appeared in the skies above the National Mall far earlier than planned as a light rain fell.
At times, Trump stood and saluted as troops marched past the reviewing stand.
But attendance appeared to fall far short of early predictions that as many as 200,000 people would attend the festival and parade. There were large gaps between viewers near the Washington Monument on a day when steamy weather and the threat of thunderstorms could have dampened turnout.
Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks across the country to sound off against the president.
The military parade crosses over the Potomac River from Virginia into Washington. (Stephanie Scarbrough/The Associated Press)They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the U.S. capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unfurled signs that said "Homes not drones" not far from a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment on the National Mall set up to commemorate the army's birthday.
Vendors outside the festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Trump-themed merchandise.
Parade has faced criticismDoug Haynes, a navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the army's 250th birthday, but said that the parade "was a little over the top." Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a "very bold statement to the world, perhaps."
Trump had brushed off the possibility of weather or protest disruptions.
In a social media post Saturday morning, he said the "great military parade" would be on "rain or shine." The protests, he said earlier, "will be met with very big force."
Hours ahead of the parade, crowds of protesters with anti-Trump signs marched toward the White House, escorted by police vehicles and officers on bicycles.
Some held a giant banner that read: "TRUMP MUST GO NOW."
The parade was added just a few weeks ago to the planned celebration of the army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million US and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets.
The army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route.
U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks with Trump during the military parade. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/The Associated Press)About six in 10 Americans said Saturday's parade was "not a good use" of government money.
The vast majority of people, 78 per cent, said they neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Larry Stallard, a retired American Airlines pilot, travelled to Washington from Kansas City for the weekend "to see the military and see Trump."
Stallard, who voted for Trump, said it was "hard to believe" people are upset about the cost of the event when "they blow that in 10 seconds on things that we don't even need."
Kathy Straus travelled from Richmond, Va., to attend the parade, carrying a sign criticizing its cost and arguing the money could have been used to feed veterans.
"I thought that it would be more effective to come here than go to a protest with people that think similar to me," she said.
Demonstrators near the White House participate in a protest taking place on the day of the parade. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press)Trump using military mightThe daylong display of America's army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided.
In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard without the governor's permission and dispatched the U.S. marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
He similarly sought to project military strength during his first presidential term, saying in 2020 that he wanted forces to "dominate" the streets following racial justice protests that turned violent and warning governors that he was prepared to send in active-duty fighters if they did not call out the National Guard in their states.
Earlier this week, Trump raised eyebrows during a speech at Fort Bragg when members of the 82nd Airborne Division, who were directed to stand behind Trump, booed and cheered during his incendiary remarks, including condemnation of his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, from left, MH-6 Little Birds, MH-60 Black Hawks and MH-47 Chinooks, fly behind the Washington Monument during the parade. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/The Associated Press)There also was a pop-up "Make America Great Again" merchandise stand nearby selling souvenirs to troops in uniform.
The Defence Department has a doctrine that prohibits troops from participating in political activity while in uniform.
Members of Congress and military leaders have expressed concerns about the political displays during the speech at Fort Bragg.
The parade included about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks, all of it viewed by cheering spectators in an atmosphere of heightened security.
PHOTOS | How Washington prepared for the military parade:The parade wound down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers.
A flyover of military aircraft included Second World War-era planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, and army helicopters flew low over the crowd, below the top of the Washington Monument.
Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division made an appearance — horses once played a crucial role in warfare, but today they're mostly used in ceremonial events like Saturday's parade.
Trump swore in 250 new recruits and returning soldiers into service, with soldiers repeating an oath after him.
"Welcome to the United States Army! And have a great life," Trump said to them afterward.
Country music singer Warren Zeiders performed, as did God Bless the U.S.A. singer Lee Greenwood. The event was capped off by a fireworks show.
It appeared that plans to have U.S. air force fighter jets fly over were scrapped because of the weather.