Nationwide Protests Erupt Against Trump During Military Parade.
Coordinated protests under the banner "No Kings" erupted in cities and towns across the United States, opposing President Donald Trump and a rare military parade he hosted in Washington, DC. The demonstrations were sparked by growing outrage over his immigration policies and coincided with Trump’s birthday and the 250th anniversary of the US Army.
Crowds gathered in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Houston, waving American flags and placards critical of the president, while lawmakers, union leaders, and activists delivered speeches. Organisers reported hundreds of demonstrations with millions participating.
In Philadelphia’s Love Park, 61-year-old nurse Karen Van Trieste told the Associated Press she joined the protest to “defend democracy,” citing Trump's public health agency staffing cuts. Los Angeles saw one of the largest gatherings, amid ongoing unrest over deportation raids. Protesters clashed with National Guard soldiers near the Federal Building, prompting the use of tear gas, though peaceful marches continued just blocks away.
Trump deployed the National Guard to California against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom, fueling local anger. Jose Azetcla of the Brown Berets told the BBC in LA that immigration drove him to protest, stating, "It’s not harsh, it’s evil. You don’t separate families."
Despite the widespread demonstrations—the largest since Trump’s re-election—public opinion remains divided. A CBS/YouGov poll found 54% of Americans supported his deportation policy, while 46% disapproved. Forty-two percent said the policy made them feel safer, and 53% believed Trump was targeting dangerous criminals.
Critics say the parade symbolised Trump’s disregard for presidential limits, reflected in the "No Kings" slogan. The event featured thousands of uniformed soldiers, tanks, military vehicles, and bands. Trump saluted the troops and briefly praised their service:
"Our soldiers never give up. Never surrender. And they win, win, win."
While some politicians and former military leaders denounced the \$25–\$45 million event as a vanity project, many attendees saw it as a tribute to the armed forces. Vietnam veteran Melvin Graves told the BBC he never received a parade after the war and viewed this as a long-overdue recognition.
The last US military parade was held in 1991 by President George H.W. Bush to celebrate victory in the Gulf War, drawing crowds of up to 800,000. Saturday's turnout was far smaller, affected by heavy rain.
For younger veterans like Brian Angel, who served in the Army from 2014–2017, the event marked a rare moment of national recognition. “Every branch should get some sort of parade or recognition,” he said.
However, the use of troops both in the parade and against domestic protests unsettled some experts. Security analyst Barbara Starr noted that, amid polarised views on immigration and militarised responses to dissent, the event took on a controversial tone not originally intended by the Army.
In Minnesota, some "No Kings" protests were cancelled after flyers promoting the event were discovered in the car of a man accused of killing a state politician and her husband. Governor Tim Walz urged caution, but thousands still joined protests across the state.
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