Donald Trump’s long-anticipated military parade rolled through Washington, D.C. this week, coinciding with the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army. An act that would catalyze such controversy, it brought out equally passionate supporters and outraged protesters. The event, intended to celebrate Trump’s 79th birthday, was part victory lap, part flexing military muscle. It was met with mixed reviews, with many conference-goers being disappointed.
Indeed, for years, Trump had fantasized about hosting a majestic civilian-controlled military review. He got the idea from the over-the-top military Bastille Day parade in Paris. However, his vision faced significant challenges. The observance became a highly politicized and chaotic circus, as well it should have given Trump’s dubious connection with the U.S. Army’s historic milestone.
During the parade, Trump delivered remarks emphasizing his belief that local politicians had created lawlessness in California and that his administration’s policies aimed to keep citizens safe. And yet, his deeply ineffective and dangerous rhetoric outweighed anything positive, particularly to his most fervent supporters — many of whom wore MAGA hats and other swag.
Though meant in a spirit of celebration, the parade led to protests in cities from Washington DC, to Baltimore, to Philadelphia, to New York City. Demonstrators voiced their dissent over Trump’s militaristic approach, chanting slogans such as “Deportations, we say no / Now’s the time for Trump to go.” Some protesters aimed their criticisms specifically at Trump. They were chanting things like “All hail Commander Bone Spur” and “History is watching” in an overt, unmistakably critical way.
Like many things that happened during the parade, its financial implications came under fire. Calculations place the event’s cost anywhere from $25 million to $45 million. For a lot of folks this was seen as a huge investment even in light of the problems going on nationally. Critics contended that these funds could have been better used to fund more pressing social needs.
“It’s sickening this is happening in my home city.”
As some of the military contractors and other attendees celebrated Trump’s military ambitions, many others shared concerns about what it means to focus on spectacle over substantive change. A woman from Pennsylvania articulated a common sentiment among supporters:
“Trump wants to keep us safe.”
Another attendee voiced skepticism regarding the military’s role in society:
“The military is not a social experiment.”
Trump’s checkered past with military service cast a shadow over the jubilation. This exemption allowed him to escape active service in the Vietnam War. This exemption has always been the focus of much criticism of his otherwise militaristic stance. Many observers have legitimately been very scared about his attitude towards law enforcement and national security. This concern is indicative of a deeper anxiety about the overall trajectory of his presidency.
The controversy over the parade’s funding and political implications loomed large. The mood outside of the event was charged with confusion and uncertainty. A Secret Service officer summed up the sentiment succinctly:
“Nobody knows what’s going on.”
As the parade developed in Washington, it offered a galvanizing lens into the deeply polarized, toxic environment of American politics. This year’s event attracted an unusually diverse crowd. Supporters turned out to support Trump, while opponents took a stand through well-coordinated protests. Both support and dissent came together in ways that emphasized the paradoxes of Trump’s presidency. Most importantly, they exposed his continued control over a country that is still polarized.