Trump Military Parade and 'No Kings Day' Protest - Two Marches Cutting Through the Heart of America

On June 14, 2025, two marches cut through the heart of America.

On June 14, 2025, the capital of the United States, Washington D.C., witnessed an unprecedented scene. On one side, a large military parade led by former President Trump unfolded spectacularly, while at the same time, peaceful citizen protests under the name "No Kings Day" occurred in over 2,000 cities across the country. On the same day, in the same nation, events with entirely different meanings divided the land.

Is it to honor the military and the nation, or to flaunt authority – Trump-led military parade

The parade held in Washington D.C. that day was planned under the guise of commemorating three events simultaneously: the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, Flag Day, and former President Trump's 79th birthday. The parade featured approximately 6,600 troops, over 150 military vehicles (including tanks), more than 50 aircraft, historical reenactment troops, military bands, parachute units, and culminated in nighttime fireworks, reflecting the format of a "celebration." The event started at 9:30 AM and led into a military fitness competition and a military festival, with the main parade commencing at 6:30 PM and concluding with fireworks close to 10 PM. However, criticisms arose regarding the complex intentions behind the event that went beyond a simple celebration. Notably, this event was designated as a National Special Security Event (NSSE), resulting in approximately 18 miles of security fencing, thousands of security personnel, drone surveillance, and the suspension of some flights, executed at a "presidential-level alert." The budget was reported to range from $25 million to $45 million. Nonetheless, many media outlets and experts deemed the event a "display of authoritarianism." Actions that utilize the military as a political tool were criticized for threatening the foundations of democracy, with some even referring to it as a "U.S. version of the Red Square show."

We Do Not Want a King - Nationwide 'No Kings Day' Protest

At the same time, a citizens' group called the "50501 Movement" led protests dubbed "No Kings Day" in all 50 states and over 2,000 cities across the country. This was a message from the citizens not just against Trump, but aimed at protecting the essence of American democracy. The organizers described the protest as "nonviolent resistance to authoritarian symbolism" and expressed deep concerns, particularly regarding the use of the military as a political tool. Hundreds of thousands participated in major cities such as Bryant Park in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, with total attendance estimated to exceed 1 million. In Washington D.C., a strategy was implemented to intentionally restrain large-scale protests while focusing on preventing clashes, and former President Trump initially warned of a tough response but later modified his statement to say "peaceful protests are fine."

Divided America: Image Politics and Citizen Resistance

This day was more than just a mere commemoration of a national holiday. Supporters viewed the parade as a 'pride in the military' and a 'positive symbol of the nation,' while critics pointed out that it represented a packaging of Trump's personal image and a visual staging of authoritarianism. The Trump camp officially emphasized it as an event for the '250th anniversary of the Army and Flag Day,' but the coinciding schedule with his birthday, the unprecedentedly high budget, and the mobilization of military equipment inevitably led to political interpretations. The two marches that took place simultaneously across the United States held significance beyond just opposing events. They were a symbolic scene where the political polarization of contemporary American society, the boundaries of civil society, and questions about the sustainability of democracy intersected.

Conclusion: Symbols speak more than actions.

On June 14, 2025, America asked itself: What are we celebrating, and whom should we be wary of? The military's power can symbolize national pride. However, when the military combines with the image of politicians, it becomes a warning for democracy. The fact that on the same day, a march of those who wish to look “like a king” and those who hope “there is no king” took place in a country built on the principle that “there is no king” reveals a political truth that America faces today.