NATIONWIDE – A military parade is scheduled for June 14 in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, a date that also marks President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Key Facts

• Washington, D.C. Military Parade – The parade will feature approximately 6,700 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, and 50 helicopters, costing an estimated $25-$45 million for the Army, with additional costs for the city.
• ‘No Kings’ Nationwide Protests – Over 1,800 “No Kings” rallies are planned across more than 1,500 cities in all 50 states, organized by a coalition of over 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups, explicitly not including Washington, D.C.
• Dual Significance of June 14 – June 14 marks both the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, with the parade intended to honor the Army’s history and the protests aiming to “reject authoritarianism.”

June 14 is set to be a day of contrasting national events, with a large-scale military parade in Washington, D.C., and a nationwide series of counter-protests termed the “No Kings” movement.

What to Know About the Washington, D.C. Military Parade

The parade in Washington, D.C., is planned to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army’s formation as the Continental Army in 1775. The event also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. The U.S. Army anticipates the parade will involve approximately 6,700 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, and 50 helicopters. The route will proceed down Constitution Avenue, from the Lincoln Memorial towards 15th Street.

Key components of the parade include heavy military vehicles such as 28 M1A1 tanks, 28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 28 Strykers, and four Paladins. Additionally, historical military equipment, including an M4 Sherman tank and a Douglas C-47 Skytrain, both significant in World War II, will be part of the procession. A flyover by roughly 50 Army helicopters, a parachuting demonstration by the Army’s Golden Knights, a concert on the Ellipse, and fireworks are also planned. Officials project between 200,000 and hundreds of thousands of attendees for the day’s festivities, with the Army’s estimated cost for the event ranging from $25 to $45 million. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed concerns regarding potential damage to city streets from heavy military vehicles.

Why “No Kings” Protests Are Happening Across the Nation

In opposition to the military parade, a coalition of over 100 pro-democracy advocacy groups, including Indivisible and Third Act, has organized the “No Kings” nationwide day of defiance. This movement plans over 1,800 rallies in more than 1,500 cities across all 50 U.S. states and commonwealths. Organizers explicitly state that no “No Kings” protests are planned for Washington, D.C., aiming to make “action everywhere else the story of America that day.”

The “No Kings” movement characterizes the military parade as a “taxpayer-funded birthday parade” and a “display of strongman politics,” stating their goal is to “reject authoritarianism.” Ezra Levin, co-founder of Indivisible, indicated that the protests aim to send a message that the United States “has no kings.” The coalition emphasizes a commitment to nonviolent action, with organizers trained in de-escalation tactics. The protests are described as a “nationwide day of defiance” to “reject authoritarianism,” focusing on “showing up everywhere he isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”

The Overlapping Significance of June 14

The convergence of these events on June 14 underscores differing perspectives on national celebration and civic expression. While the military parade seeks to honor a quarter-millennium of U.S. Army history and coincides with the President’s birthday, the “No Kings” protests highlight concerns over governmental power and democratic principles. The events reflect a broader national dialogue on the balance between national displays of strength and grassroots movements advocating for civil liberties and democratic norms. The Secret Service has designated the military parade as a National Special Security Event, indicating enhanced security coordination, though officials have stated there are no credible threats to the parade itself and intelligence suggests counter-protests in D.C. will be limited.