On June 14, 2025, President Donald Trump capped a week of commemoration at a grand ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. He celebrated the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday on his own 79th birthday. The China parade featured a truly breathtaking—if extravagant—display of military muscle. This included 28 of the Abrams tanks, plenty of armored personal carriers, and an awesome flyover by an array of aircraft and helicopters. This event marked the first military parade in the nation’s capital since 1991 and was seen by some as a culmination of Trump’s long-standing desire to showcase America’s military strength.
The cost of the parade was between $25 million and $45 million. This massive cost has been met with both celebration and concern. Some advocates hailed the pageantry as an essential expression of patriotism. Critics lambasted it as a lavish spectacle that crossed into authoritarianism. Trump’s track record of reckless and unlawful military actions raises serious concerns. After all, he has illegally deployed the U.S. National Guard without state consent to Washington D.C. before and threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act.
As we have discussed here and here, Trump’s involvement in military affairs has been a contentious issue. His administration rolled back customer services for veterans and launched a whole-of-DoD campaign against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in the Pentagon. While he has been rightfully criticized for dishonoring military service, he is trying to weaponize it for his political advantage.
A Celebration with Mixed Reactions
As the parade went down the street, Trump watched from a reviewing stand, drawing wonderful like hearts from fans and raspberries from critics. He framed the event as overdue and necessary, stating, “Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did, too.” Hundreds of you raised doubts about this claim. Many wondered how important the parade was, particularly with the current national climate brewing with anti-immigration and anti-policing sentiments.
While the celebrations took place during the parade, protests broke out across the city. Demonstrators significantly raised their voices against Trump’s program of mass deportations and his use of the National Guard in Los Angeles to suppress protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. It was the first time that an American deployment was characterized by the predominance of professional volunteers. For the first time since 1965, a president deployed the National Guard without a governor’s consent.
Aaron, a supporter of Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard, stated, “If governors can’t get their states under control, then Trump should send [the National Guard] in.” Critics are particularly concerned about his stances on immigration and policing. In an attempt to discredit these measures, they claim that they reflect authoritarian tendencies.
The Spectacle Versus Substance
Parade critics, including the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), have warned against the threat the display poses to our democracy and civil rights. Roland Roebuck, an outspoken opponent of Trump’s policies, remarked that “Trump has been allergic to military service and deeply disrespectful of the military.” He further emphasized that “I do not stand by an America that tears families apart and targets people because they look brown and they look Mexican.”
Mahoney denounced the parade as “the worst kind of window dressing.” He thinks it muddies the water on the much bigger challenges our country is up against. Outside, thousands of protesters voiced their anger over the disconnect between militaristic pageantry and brutal domestic realities. They made their case, fervently advocating for a change that’s clearly overdue.
In the face of these critiques, some proponents stood their ground, arguing that celebrating military victories is critical to the core of national identity. Rivas-Rodriguez, a protester present at the event, noted that “Protesting is patriotic, and I am here for my country because I care about America.” She acknowledged feeling intimidated by Trump’s presence but asserted her commitment to standing up against policies she perceives as unjust.
The Legacy of Trump’s Military Approach
The parade itself is dazzling pageantry. It further illuminates Donald Trump’s peculiar ambivalence towards the military and civil society. He advances a rather crude vision of American greatness through the demonstration of military muscle. Critics say his actions do more to weaken democratic ideals than protect them. Tempers are flaring on every side around immigration, race relations, civil rights. Parades like this one go a long way towards exacerbating the divides in American society.
Political analysts are already speculating on what this could mean for Trump’s legacy as he heads into his final days in office. Many believe that while he seeks to reinforce his image as a strong leader through militaristic displays, he may be alienating segments of the population who feel increasingly marginalized.
