Protests Across U.S. as Trump Holds Military Parade

Across the United States on Saturday, June 14, 2025, people held protests while President Donald Trump led a big military parade in Washington, D.C. These protests were put together by a group called "No Kings," who believe Trump is becoming too powerful and disagree with his immigration rules.

The parade was meant to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th birthday, which also happened to be Trump's 79th birthday. It showed many soldiers, tanks, and airplanes. President Trump praised the military, saying they "fight, fight, fight. And they win, win, win."

However, in other cities like New York and Los Angeles, thousands of people gathered to criticize the president. They said he was using the military for himself and pushing the country away from democracy. A nurse in Philadelphia said, "I just feel like we need to defend our democracy."

Los Angeles saw some of the biggest protests, especially after Trump sent the National Guard there earlier in the week due to immigration raids. Crowds fought with soldiers, and tear gas was used. One civil rights leader said, "You don’t separate families."

Even with the protests, many people still support Trump's immigration policies. A recent poll showed that more than half of Americans approve of his deportation plans. In Minnesota, some protests were cancelled after a man accused of killing a politician was linked to protest flyers, but many still marched.

The parade had fewer people than a similar one in 1991, partly due to bad weather and public disapproval. But many supporters, especially veterans, felt it was a good way to honor soldiers. Critics, however, felt the parade, combined with the protests and soldiers in L.A., showed a worrying shift towards authoritarian rule.

Nationwide Protests Coincide with Trump’s Military Parade in Washington D.C.

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, demonstrations erupted across numerous U.S. cities, directly coinciding with President Donald Trump's large-scale military parade in Washington, D.C. Organized by the "No Kings" movement, these protests registered strong disapproval of what critics perceive as Trump’s escalating authoritarian tendencies and stringent immigration policies.

The parade, intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and Trump's 79th birthday, featured thousands of uniformed personnel, dozens of military vehicles including tanks, and aerial flyovers. From Ellipse Park, President Trump lauded the military, asserting, "Our soldiers never give up. Never surrender and never, ever quit. They fight, fight, fight. And they win, win, win."

Conversely, a different narrative unfolded nationwide. In major urban centers such as New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles, thousands convened to denounce the President’s utilization of military force, both symbolically in the parade and overtly in recent domestic deployments. Speakers, including local lawmakers and union leaders, accused Trump of undermining democratic principles. Karen Van Trieste, a Philadelphia nurse, articulated her motivations, stating, “I just feel like we need to defend our democracy.” Organizers claimed millions participated in hundreds of locations, under the "No Kings" banner, symbolizing opposition to what they term the "erosion of constitutional limits."

Los Angeles became a focal point of unrest, still reeling from recent federal deportation raids that prompted Trump to deploy the National Guard—a move fiercely opposed by California officials. Clashes near the Federal Building involved protesters and soldiers, with tear gas deployed, though other areas saw peaceful marches. Jose Azetcla of the Brown Berets condemned the actions as "evil." Security expert Barbara Starr highlighted the unsettling juxtaposition of troops parading in D.C. and controlling civil unrest in L.A.

Despite the widespread protests, public opinion on Trump’s immigration policies remains divided, with a CBS/YouGov poll indicating 54% approval for his deportation policy. In Minnesota, some "No Kings" events were cancelled due to a connection between protest flyers and a man accused in a local politician's murder, yet thousands still marched in defiance. The parade itself saw lower turnout than the 1991 Gulf War victory parade, partly due to weather and public criticism, yet veterans like Melvin Graves expressed profound honor. Critics, however, view the event's timing and tone, coupled with domestic military deployments, as alarming indicators of a drift towards authoritarianism.

Nationwide Dissent Mounts as Trump Presides Over Grand Military Parade in Washington D.C.

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, widespread dissent manifested across major U.S. cities, synchronizing with President Donald Trump’s large-scale military parade in Washington, D.C. These mobilizations, orchestrated by the "No Kings" movement, served as a potent counter-narrative to what critics assert are Trump’s escalating authoritarian proclivities and draconian immigration policies.

The parade, ostensibly commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, showcased thousands of uniformed personnel, scores of military vehicles including M1 Abrams tanks, and various marching bands. From a specially erected platform at Ellipse Park, the President delivered a fervent paean to the armed forces, declaring, “Our soldiers never give up. Never surrender and never, ever quit. They fight, fight, fight. And they win, win, win.”

Concurrently, a diametrically opposed message resonated throughout the nation. In metropolitan hubs such as New York, Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles, tens of thousands converged to condemn the President’s perceived instrumentalization of military force, both for ceremonial display and in recent domestic deployments. Speakers, comprising local legislators, labor leaders, and grassroots activists, vociferously accused Trump of actively eroding democratic norms. Karen Van Trieste, a 61-year-old nurse in Philadelphia, encapsulated the sentiment: “I just feel like we need to defend our democracy,” citing budgetary furloughs to public health agencies as a key grievance. Organizers claimed millions participated in protests across hundreds of locations, the “No Kings” moniker symbolizing their opposition to what they deem the constitutional overreach of executive power.

Los Angeles, already volatile from a series of federal deportation raids earlier in the week, emerged as a particularly intense flashpoint. President Trump's controversial deployment of the National Guard to California, vehemently opposed by Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials, further inflamed public sentiment. Crowds near the Federal Building engaged in clashes with military personnel, necessitating the deployment of tear gas, though other sectors maintained peaceful protest marches. Jose Azetcla, a representative of the civil rights group Brown Berets, articulated profound outrage: “It’s not harsh, it’s evil. You don’t separate families.” Security analyst Barbara Starr underscored the disquieting irony, noting the “heavy symbolic weight” borne by the parade due to the palpable polarization over immigration and overt military presence domestically.

Despite the widespread antagonism, public opinion on Trump’s immigration policies remains bifurcated. A recent CBS/YouGov poll indicated 54% approval for the President's deportation policy, with 46% disapproval. A plurality (42%) believed the program enhanced public safety, and 53% endorsed its focus on criminal removals. In Minnesota, some “No Kings” demonstrations were suspended after flyers for the protests were discovered in the vehicle of an individual accused of a state politician’s murder, though thousands still marched in resolute defiance. The parade itself saw a markedly lower turnout than the 1991 Gulf War victory parade (which drew 800,000), partly attributable to inclement weather and widespread public opprobrium. Conversely, numerous supporters, including veterans like Melvin Graves, found deep personal resonance, viewing the display as a long-overdue acknowledgement of military service. Nevertheless, for critics, the parade’s timing and tone, juxtaposed with burgeoning domestic unrest and the deployment of federal forces, painted a stark portrait of a presidency veering towards authoritarianism.