US Army's $45 Million 250th Anniversary Parade Draws Criticism Amidst Sparse Crowds and Nationwide Protests

Washington D.C. – The United States Army commemorated its 250th anniversary on June 14, 2025, with a grand military parade in Washington D.C., an event that coincided with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The spectacle, estimated to cost between $25 million and $45 million, featured over 6,000 troops, 150 military vehicles, and 62 aircraft, but faced significant bipartisan criticism and was met by widespread "No Kings" protests across the nation.

President Trump presided over the 90-minute display, which showcased the Army's historical evolution and modern capabilities. Speaking at the event, Trump hailed the Army as the "greatest, fiercest and bravest fighting force" and declared, "Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did too. That's what we're doing tonight." He also defended the expenditure, stating the cost was "peanuts compared to the value of doing it."

However, the parade, officially named the "250th Birthday of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade and Celebration," drew immediate controversy. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argued the event politicized the military and served as an homage to the President, especially given its timing on his birthday. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, criticized the event, stating, "Trump squandering $45 million in taxpayer dollars on a military parade for his birthday is the epitome of government waste."

Public opinion polls reflected this sentiment, with an AP-NORC survey finding that 60% of U.S. adults believed the parade was not a good use of government funds. Despite official expectations of "hundreds of thousands" of spectators, reports indicated sparse crowds and empty seats along the parade route, which was also affected by light rain. The event's optics were further scrutinized due to its resemblance to military displays often seen in authoritarian regimes, a concern echoed by Republican Senator Rand Paul, who expressed worry about the image it could send.

Nationwide "No Kings" protests, organized by a coalition of over 200 organizations, coincided with the parade, demonstrating broad opposition to the event and the administration's policies. While the main protest events were held outside Washington D.C., some arrests occurred at the U.S. Capitol prior to the parade. The event was also overshadowed by a fatal accident two days later, when a woman was struck and killed by a truck hauling a tank away from the parade area.