Mass protests swept across the United States as President Donald Trump staged a grand military parade in Washington, D.C., to mark both his birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Organized by the activist group “No Kings,” the protests spanned hundreds of cities, drawing millions of participants who accused Trump of overstepping presidential powers and condemned his hardline immigration policies.
The protests, held in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Houston, featured impassioned speeches by lawmakers, union leaders, and activists. In Philadelphia’s Love Park, 61-year-old nurse Karen Van Trieste voiced concern over cuts to public health agencies, stating, “I just feel like we need to defend our democracy.”
In Los Angeles, where tensions had already been high following days of unrest over aggressive deportation raids, demonstrators clashed with National Guard troops. Tear gas was deployed near the Federal Building, though other protests continued peacefully nearby. Civil rights activist Jose Azetcla of the Brown Berets condemned family separations, calling the administration’s tactics “not harsh, but evil.”
Despite the widespread demonstrations, recent CBS/YouGov polls indicate that Trump’s immigration policies retain broad public support. Over half of Americans approve of deporting undocumented immigrants, with many believing the measures enhance national safety.
Trump’s military parade, the first of its kind since 1991, featured thousands of soldiers, tanks, and marching bands. While critics—including former military officials—blasted it as an expensive vanity project with an estimated cost of up to $45 million, attendees like Vietnam veteran Melvin Graves defended the event as a long-overdue tribute to the armed forces.
For younger veterans such as Brian Angel, who served in Korea, the parade symbolized long-awaited recognition. “Every branch should get some sort of parade or recognition,” he said.
Still, analysts warned of the uneasy symbolism of military celebrations amid the domestic deployment of troops to suppress protests. “Because of the polarisation over immigration and the use of uniformed troops, the parade carries political overtones that overshadow its original intent,” said security expert Barbara Starr.
In Minnesota, some “No Kings” events were cancelled after protest materials were linked to a suspect in a political double homicide, casting a further shadow over an already volatile national moment
