thisLarge military paradePresident Donald Trump started Saturday with a salute of tanks, troops and 21 guns, competing against protesters across the country who denounced U.S. leaders as dictators and possible kings.
On his 79th birthday, the Republican president sat at a special viewing booth south of the White House to watch a display of U.S. military power, which began with heavy rains and dark clouds. Trump tried to achieve this during his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but it wasn’t until this year to bring it together to an event that recognized the Army’s 250th anniversary.
Hours before the march began, demonstrators refuted the Republican president as a dictator or possible king in streets and parks across the country.
They criticized Trump for using the military to respondThose who protested his efforts to deportTo dispatch tanks, thousands of marching troops and military aircraft performed in the U.S. capital.
In Washington, anti-war protesters unraveled signs that said “houses are not drones”, not far from armored vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment designed to mark the Army’s birthday. Suppliers outside the festival sold equipment that marked a military milestone. Others have Trump-themed merchandise.
Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended a one-day festival to celebrate the military’s 250th birthday, but said the parade was planned to go on later, “a bit beyond the top.”
Haynes pointed to a nearby tank and said that getting them to roll off the street was “perhaps a very bold statement to the world.”
Late Saturday, military parades will emerge from the Lincoln Memorial and be threatened by stormy weather, accompanied by protests elsewhere in the city.
Trump posted a social media post on Saturday morning saying that the “Great Military Parade” will shed light on the possibility of both distractions in “Rain or Shine.” He said earlier that the protests would be encountered with great force. “Home hours before the march, anti-Trump protesters marched towards the White House, accompanied by a bicycle police car and police officer. Some held a huge banner that read: “Trump must go Now. ”
The parade was added to a celebration of the military’s birthday a few weeks ago and has attracted criticism for its price as high as $45 million, and logging tanks could tear down city streets. The Army has takenVarious stepsProtecting the streets, including laying metal plates along the route.
About six in 10 Americans said Saturday’s march “is not a good use of” government funds. The vast majority (78%) said that according to Associated Press-Nok Public Affairs Research Center.
The one-day U.S. military demonstrated Trump’s willingness to show his willingness to use other U.S. presidents usually avoid using the country’s military power. Last week, he activatedCalifornia National Guard without the Governor’s permissionand dispatched the U.S. Marines to provide security during the Los Angeles protests related to the immigration attacks, prompting state litigation to cease deployment.
He similarly tried to project military strength during his first presidency and said in 2020 that he hoped that troops would “rule” the streets following racial justice protests that made violence and warned the governor that he was ready to send active fighters if they did not call the National Guard.
Earlier this week, TrumpFort Bragg speechMembers of the 82nd Airborne Division were instructed to stand behind Trump, booedCheering in his inciting remarksincluding condemnation of his predecessor, Joe Biden. There is also a pop-up “Make America Great Again” merchandise stall selling souvenirs nearby.
The Ministry of Defense has a doctrine that forces are forbidden to participate in political activities while wearing uniforms. Members of Congress and military leaders expressed concern about the political presentation in Fort Bragg speeches.
Saturday’s beauty pageant aims to satisfy Trump’s desire for big cravingsThe parade he tried to complete in the first semesterTrump met in Paris on 2017’s Bastille Day. Trump said after watching the two-hour parade of the famous Champs-élysées that he hopes to have a more grander game in Washington.
Saturday’s event is expected to include about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60 tonsM1 Abrams ChariotalsoThere may be 200,000 attendeesAnd improves security of security matching.
The march will put Constitution Avenue around security fences and obstacles. Army helicopters and planes will fly above and the parade will be parachute-hopped, a concert that includes “God Bless America” singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks.
It is unclear whether there are protests that will disrupt the march, although hundreds of protesters gathered within the previous hours. Officials said they had no security threats.
“No King” gathering– Organizers chose the name to support democracy and oppose their so-called dictatorship of the Trump administration –Expand in hundreds of cities– The purpose is to oppose what organizers say about Trump’s plan to feed his own self on his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
Before the rally on Saturday afternoon, heading to the White House, about 200 protesters gathered in Logan Circle in northwest Washington, sending signs, dancing, dancing from local street bands, including “This land is your land.”
Celebrational sentiment is celebrated as the group chants “Trump must go immediately” before cheering.
A puppet larger than a human puppet is bound in the crowd, a satire of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet.
Other protesters waved proud flags and raised signs, some of which were sharp messages, such as “I prefer Bingbing”, referring to immigration and customs law enforcement agencies. The other message is: “The invasion is January 6, not in Los Angeles”, “If you are a fascist, throw me away.”
With the expected rainfall, the parade could be interrupted by thunderstorms.
The Army is expected to have up to 200,000 people attend music festivals and parades.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, but some of it (including the tail of the Mara and other units) begin at the Pentagon, cross the bridge and meet with some of the heavier tanks and equipment. Officials don’t want 60 tons of M1A1 Abrams tanks and Stryker Vehicles crossing the bridge.
Until one minute, the parade will be divided into parts by history – equipment and troops worn from each period.
It will include a total of 6,169 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery, while 62 aircraft flew overhead.
At the end of the parade, Trump will vow 250 new or re-enlisted troops, and the military’s Golden Knight Parachute will jump into the mall. Concerts and fireworks will be held later.
This story was originally fortune.com
