President Donald Trump praised the United States Army as the “greatest, fiercest and bravest fighting force” at the conclusion of a grand display of military might in the nation’s capital Saturday as the Army celebrated its 250th birthday with a parade.

The United States Army parachute team, the Golden KNights, descend on the military parade in Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2025, President Trump’s birthday. Courtesy: America250

The parade must go on, and the Army sidestepped a major crisis of image and messaging. The Army’s 250th birthday parade was not the grand military spectacle that many anticipated, and for that Americans can breathe a momentary, measured sigh of relief.

The parade was the spectacle event Trump had long wanted. It also helped sparked the largest mass opposition to him since his inauguration 145 days earlier.

The White House has said the administration was planning a historic celebration for the Army's 250th birthday. The Army was established on June 14, 1775,

Thousands of demonstrators crowded into streets, parks, and plazas across the US, blaring anti-authoritarian chants mixed with support for protecting democracy and immigrant rights.

The last time the United States held a national military parade was in June 1991, timed to welcome returning veterans of the 100-day Persian Gulf War.

The demonstrations follow more than a week of large-scale protests in Los Angeles against Mr. Trump’s immigration crackdown and his decision to deploy the military there. Thousands gathered at Liberty Plaza,

President Trump is hosting a parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army today, bringing tanks and soldiers to the streets of Washington, D.C., for the capital's first major military parade in more than three decades.