Washington, D.C., will host a massive military celebration on Saturday, June 14, as President Trump commemorates both the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and his 79th birthday.
How convenient.
The showcase is expected to include over 6,500 active-duty service members, tanks, military aircraft, fireworks, and performances across the National Mall. With a price tag between $25 million and $45 million, Trump promises the event will be “like no other,” describing it as a powerful display of American might.
Wait, we thought the whole purpose of DOGE was to cut waste? Will they be there too?
At the same time, thousands across the country are planning to push back against the spectacle. A movement called “No Kings” is organizing more than 1,500 protests in cities across the nation. Led by the 50501 campaign—named for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement—the group has condemned the parade as a show of vanity and false dominance. Their website states, “President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.”
Organizers say the movement is about holding leaders accountable and fighting against what they call a rise in government overreach and abuse. “They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights and slashed our services,” the No Kings statement reads. Demonstrations will span all 50 states, with large-scale gatherings planned in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston, and other cities.
While the parade celebrates American military tradition, critics argue it promotes authoritarian symbolism. Trump, meanwhile, remains unfazed, telling supporters to expect “thundering tanks and breath taking flyovers.” Security will be tight in D.C. as federal agencies prepare for both the festivities and the public backlash. For many, Saturday will not just be about patriotism—it will be a battle over the image of America itself.
Just wow. To everything.