U.S. President Donald Trump held a grand military parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and coinciding with his 79th birthday. Tanks rolled through the streets, fighter jets roared overhead, and troops marched past cheering crowds.
However, the celebrations were overshadowed by widespread protests across the country. Tens of thousands of “No Kings” demonstrators took to the streets in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Houston, and Atlanta, highlighting the deep political divisions in the United States.
The “No Kings” protest organizers had anticipated millions of participants in over 1,500 cities nationwide. In Los Angeles alone, thousands rallied against President Trump’s deployment of troops in the city, following clashes sparked by recent immigration raids.
The White House dismissed the demonstrations. “The so-called No Kings protests have been a complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance,” said White House Communications Director Steven Cheung in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, despite photos circulating of large crowds in several cities.
The day was further marred by tragic news from Minnesota. A Democratic state lawmaker, former State Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband were killed in an attack outside Minneapolis. Another state lawmaker and his wife were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. President Trump quickly condemned the attacks.
The simultaneous celebration and unrest highlight the polarized climate in the U.S., as the nation grapples with issues of military presence, immigration policies, and political violence.
