In most democracies and democratic republics, it’s safe to say extravagant military parades on the day of the president or prime minister’s birthday rarely occur. Usually, they’re saved to commemorate special holidays or anniversaries.
Saturday’s large military parade in Washington, D.C., is no exception to this precedent, but only on the surface. On one hand, it is set to take place on Flag Day as well as the 250th anniversary of the day the United States Army was established: June 14, 1775. On the other hand, it's also on the same day as President Trump’s 79th birthday: June 14, 2025.
And no pomp nor circumstance has been spared, as the event’s bill is set to total somewhere between $25 million and $45 million, which Trump sees as no big deal while food prices and recession fears continue to rise for the general public.
As he told NBC News, the price tag is “Peanuts compared to the value of” holding the parade, since, “We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it.”
But while President Trump holds his own televised birthday parade with possible Craigslist hires filling out the crowd, the American people’s attention and efforts will be elsewhere: the 1,800 ‘No Kings’ protests happening in every state in the Union.
“On June 14,” No Kings wrote, “President Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.”
They continue: “No Kings is a nationwide day of defiance. From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like.”
Throughout the entirety of Saturday, No Kings protests will be taking to the streets to show the world and the current administration that America has never willingly bowed to a king and has no intention of doing so.
Protests slated to have the largest participation include those in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C., The New York Times reports, as the national livestream is being hosted in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence.
Although no protest will be held in Washington, D.C., numerous rallies are scheduled to take place in the areas surrounding the nation’s capitol. Arlington, Alexandria and Silver Spring, MD, will host gatherings under ‘No Kings’ and ‘No Tyrants.’