• President Trump's military parade for the US Army's 250th anniversary coincided with his 79th birthday.
• Nationwide protests under the 'No Kings' banner erupted in response to Trump's policies, focusing on issues like immigration and federal authority.
• Attendance at the parade fell short of expectations, overshadowed by large-scale demonstrations across the country.
• The parade featured military hardware and troops but drew criticism as a vanity project costing taxpayers between $25 million and $45 million.
• Tensions escalated in cities like Los Angeles, where protests devolved into clashes with law enforcement.

On June 14, 2025, President Donald Trump hosted a grand military parade in Washington, D.C. to honor the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday. Despite the parade's intent to showcase the military's capabilities, heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings loomed over the festivities, which were described by critics as a politically charged event more reflective of Trump's personal ambitions than a simple military tribute, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

The event featured over 6,700 troops, multiple military vehicles, and a variety of aircraft, but reportedly drew a smaller crowd than expected, as it was dwarfed by protests organized across the country. This massive outpouring of dissent, termed 'No Kings Day', saw participants in nearly 2,000 protests nationwide speaking against Trump's immigration policies and the militarization of domestic issues, according to Dawn and Channel News Asia.

Demonstrators, many carrying signs with messages like "No Kings" and "No crown for a clown," confronted a strong police presence as protests focused on Trump’s immigration enforcement tactics and his deployment of federal forces in cities, particularly Los Angeles where tensions remained high. Reportedly, the response to the protests included the use of tear gas and riot control measures by police, highlighting the confrontational atmosphere surrounding the protests, according to BBC and L.A. Times.

Trump maintained that the parade was a moment of national pride, likening it to celebrations held by other nations but faced significant backlash from those who viewed it as excessive and unnecessary expenditure, with many Americans questioning the use of public funds for such an event. Critics emphasized that 60% of Americans believed it was not a good use of taxpayer money, according to ABC News and HuffPost.

The protests highlighted a deep divide in public opinion regarding Trump’s presidency, penetrating various aspects of American society and politics. Many demonstrators argued that the administration's immigration policies and actions represented an authoritarian shift in governance, emphasizing the importance of the protest movements to uphold democratic principles, especially with Trump's warnings against protesters potentially being met with a strong police response. This sentiment resonated strongly amongst participants, asserting that “protesting is patriotic,” as articulated by various protest leaders throughout the day, surfaces in reports by TRT Global and Independent.