The 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army is being marked with a grand parade in Washington. Anti-Trump groups say they want to steal the spotlight.
President Donald Trump said Americans are invited to the nation’s capital for “an unforgettable celebration” of the Army’s 250th anniversary on June 14.That date is also Flag Day, marking the adoption of America’s first national flag in 1777, and Trump’s 79th birthday.But the president’s detractors said they are planning “No Kings Day of Defiance” protests in an attempt to shift focus “everywhere else,” away from the grand parade Trump described.“Thundering tanks and breathtaking flyovers will roar through our capital city,” Trump said in a videotaped message, “as nearly 7,000 soldiers march in historic uniforms from every major war since the Revolution.”Trump urged people to reserve a spot at America250.org and join in a “once-in-a-lifetime celebration.”“I think it’s going to be better and bigger than any parade we’ve ever had in this country,” he said.The day-long celebration will include concerts, fireworks, and displays on the National Mall, at a cost of $25 million to $45 million, officials have estimated.The Army’s Golden Knights parachute team is expected to present Trump with a folded American flag, followed by the president swearing in 250 recruits or re-enlistees.
These events conclude a week-long commemoration of the Army’s semiquincentennial, which included a presidential visit with soldiers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.Support Us2060USAmerica Prepares for Protests, Celebrations on Flag DayThe 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army is being marked with a grand parade in Washington. Anti-Trump groups say they want to steal the spotlight.2060SavePrintAmerica Prepares for Protests, Celebrations on Flag DayThe Washington Monument is visible as U.S. Army soldiers work on an assortment of M1 Alpha a3 Abrams tanks, stryker armored vehicles, and M2 Bradley fighting vehicles at West Potomac Park in Washington D.C. on June 11, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesJanice HisleJanice HisleReporter6/14/2025|Updated: 6/14/20250:004:59X 1President Donald Trump said Americans are invited to the nation’s capital for “an unforgettable celebration” of the Army’s 250th anniversary on June 14.That date is also Flag Day, marking the adoption of America’s first national flag in 1777, and Trump’s 79th birthday.But the president’s detractors said they are planning “No Kings Day of Defiance” protests in an attempt to shift focus “everywhere else,” away from the grand parade Trump described.Story continues below advertisement“Thundering tanks and breathtaking flyovers will roar through our capital city,” Trump said in a videotaped message, “as nearly 7,000 soldiers march in historic uniforms from every major war since the Revolution.”Trump urged people to reserve a spot at America250.org and join in a “once-in-a-lifetime celebration.”“I think it’s going to be better and bigger than any parade we’ve ever had in this country,” he said.Related StoriesTrump: Protesters Disrupting DC Military Parade Will Be Met With ‘Very Heavy Force’The Epoch TimesAuthorities Discuss Security for Washington Military ParadeThe Epoch TimesThe day-long celebration will include concerts, fireworks, and displays on the National Mall, at a cost of $25 million to $45 million, officials have estimated.The Army’s Golden Knights parachute team is expected to present Trump with a folded American flag, followed by the president swearing in 250 recruits or re-enlistees.Story continues below advertisementThese events conclude a week-long commemoration of the Army’s semiquincentennial, which included a presidential visit with soldiers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.Soldiers of Fort Bragg stand in salute during the playing of the national anthem at The America 250 Celebration at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., on June 10, 2025. (Karl DeBlaker/AP Photo)Soldiers of Fort Bragg stand in salute during the playing of the national anthem at The America 250 Celebration at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., on June 10, 2025. Karl DeBlaker/AP PhotoAny attempt to disrupt Saturday’s celebration will be met with “very heavy force,” Trump told reporters earlier this week, following days of unrest in Los Angeles and elsewhere.Some demonstrations over the enforcement of federal immigration laws turned violent, leading to hundreds of arrests.The Secret Service has said enhanced security measures will be in place, affecting air and ground travel near the festivities.There had been no credible threats, officials said early in the week.However, they have not released an update in the wake of Israel, a U.S. ally, striking suspected nuclear-weapons sites in Iran early on June 13.Iran conducted retaliatory strikes on Israel later on June 13, after Iranian leaders vowed revenge against both Israel and the United StatesTrump’s domestic critics have scheduled demonstrations at nearly 2,000 sites across the nation on Saturday.Organizers, in a message on their website, said the group is purposely snubbing Washington.“We will make action everywhere else the story of America that day,” the group’s website says.The No Kings gatherings were planned before protesters opposed federal immigration and criminal-law enforcement actions in Los Angeles and elsewhere beginning on June 6.While No Kings leaders say they are committed to peaceful demonstrations, many places are beefing up security to discourage any unruliness.Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deployed 7,000 guardsmen and troopers to assist local police as a precaution.No Kings organizers accuse Trump of acting like a king.When asked about that label, Trump told reporters this week: “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.”At least one Democrat opponent, Minnesota’s Gov. Tim Walz, said he hopes Mother Nature plays spoiler for the Washington celebration.“I have never so hoped for rain in my life,” Walz said at an event on June 13.Weather forecasters were predicting a 35 percent chance of thunderstorms, according to The Weather Channel on June 13.Walz is a featured speaker for the No Kings gathering in the Twin Cities—a role that drew fire from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) during a June 12 congressional hearing.Walz, an unsuccessful vice-presidential candidate who, alongside his running mate, Kamala Harris, opposed Trump in last year’s election, was among three governors who faced questions over their states’ “sanctuary” policies and alleged resistance to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).Luna said the No Kings protests are being supported by wealthy people such as Christy Walton, heiress to the Walmart retail empire. Walton paid for full-page newspaper ads publicizing the No Kings Day gatherings.The congresswoman also said that the protests in Los Angeles and possibly elsewhere appear to have ties to communist sympathizers who oppose the United States.She admonished Walz.“If you truly do uphold the American ideologies and perspectives on the Constitution, you should not be speaking at that [No Kings] rally,” she said.An attempt to obtain a response from a No Kings spokesman was unsuccessful.