250. Founding day of the US army: Trump gets military parade – and mass protests

US President Donald Trump grins on his 79th birthday. Because he gets something that he wanted for a long time: a military parade through the capital Washington. He grins when he enters the stands in the evening (local time) with his wife Melania. And salute while soldiers pre -tie on him. He is at least not noticeable that mass protests take place against him all over the country.

“Every other country celebrates its victories,” says Trump in his speech – and adheres to the prepared script unusually precisely for his standards. “It is time for America to do that too.” His Vice President JD Vance congratulates him for his birthday. Country musician Lee Greenwood sings “God Bless the USA” – a song that was regularly played at Trump’s campaign events. Finally the grand finale: fireworks.

Officially, it is a ceremony for the 250th anniversary of the US army, the largest and oldest partial dispute in the country. But for many in the country, the staging looks more like a personal gift for the president – and like a political demonstration of power à la Trump, internally and outwards. The costs are estimated by US media to up to $ 45 million (around 39 million euros). Possible road damage from the heavy military vehicles are also feared.

Presumably politically motivated, deadly attack fueling worries

Trump’s dream of military pomp is put to the test of reality. The program must be adjusted at short notice due to undeveloped weather. At the same time, the concern depends on Washington – not only because of the nationwide protests, but also because of a very specific danger situation.

In the early hours of the morning, a man in the state of Minnesota shot a democratic politician and her husband. Another democrat and his wife were also shot and seriously injured. The authorities assume a politically motivated act. The alleged perpetrator is still fleeting. In his car, investigators found a list with the names of numerous other officials.

The escalation in the Middle East also throws its shade

The situation on this Saturday could hardly be tense, not only in Germany: Trump had once again called Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in the morning. It was a birthday call, but according to both sides it was primarily about the war between Israel and Iran.

The escalating conflict in the Middle East may have crossed the foreign policy agenda of Trump: Only recently had the president emphasized that he rejected an Israeli attack on Iran as long as he believes in an agreement with Tehran. The discussions between Tehran and Washington, which are actually planned for Sunday, about the Iranian nuclear program in Oman? Cancelled.

Pompous parade with tanks, helicopters and parachutists

The military parade in Washington, on the other hand, takes place, “Rain or Shine” (in any weather), as Trump explicitly emphasized Trump on Truth Social. However, a little earlier than planned. The previous day it had stormed strongly, the sultry remained. The clothing sticks to the body – this is what the thousands of soldiers are particularly feeling to feel, who march in the direction of white house in partly historical uniforms along the National Mall. Meanwhile, Trump sits on the stands with Melania and members of his government – and claps.

Accompanied by Fanfaren and “USA, USA” calls, he looks at soldiers who play wind instruments or drums. On military vehicles, among which there are also heavy tanks. And on parachutists, drones and helicopters.

While the train moves, the history of the US army is looked back. It was founded on June 14, 1775 – before the United States’ official declaration of independence from Great Britain. According to military information, 450,000 active soldiers worldwide are on duty for the army.

Already in the afternoon: long snakes for the spectacle

Hundreds of thousands were originally expected to celebrate the celebrations. It is questionable whether this number was achieved. But what you can say: The parade has attracted supporters from all over the country. Jonas Williams from the state of North Carolina, for example, works on a stand in Washington on the day of the event where you can buy Trump fan articles. “I believe that it is great for our youth to revive the passion for America,” he says of the military parade.

Already in the afternoon long snakes have formed from people who want to come to the site. Many of the waiting people hold US flags in their hands, some carry red “Make America Great Again” caps.

Nicole Lovvornn from the state of Alabama has secured a place in the middle of the National Mall more than three hours before the start of the parade. From there she looks directly at the stands, where Trump takes a seat a few hours later. “We wanted to see the president and hopefully also a few military vehicles,” says Lovvorn. The 47-year-old sees the event as a “thing that you only experience once in life.”

Organizer: More than five million demonstrators in the USA

The day looks very different for many other Americans – they are also on the street, but in protest. Under the motto “No Kings” (no kings) there are demonstrations across the country. The participants accuse Trump authoritarian appearance. At the beginning of the military parade, the organizers report a total of more than five million participants in around 2,100 cities – much more than in demonstrations in April.

There have been tensions in Germany for days in which the military does not play a unimportant role: the commitment of thousands of soldiers from the National Guard and hundreds of marine fans in protests against Trump’s migration policy in Los Angeles caused a lot of criticism. The step took place against the express will of the California governor Gavin Newsom and triggered new protests nationwide.

In Washington it remains largely quiet on the day of the parade, thousands of security forces protect the event. The organizers of the “No Kings” movement had expressly not called for protests in the capital. Instead, there was the “DC Joy Day” – a deliberately happy counter -program for military staging.