WASHINGTON — Thousands of troops descended on Washington, D.C., on Saturday, with tanks filling the streets and helicopters overhead, as President Donald Trump staged a military spectacle for the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.
But the military parade, which Trump has repeatedly said he wanted since his first term, unfolded against the backdrop of an act of political violence earlier in the day that has left lawmakers and the American public reeling.
Earlier Saturday, a still-at-large suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, allegedly impersonated a police officer and shot and killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband in what authorities are calling a "politically motivated assassination." Another Democratic legislator and his wife were also shot in a separate attack by the same suspect.
Meanwhile, thousands of Trump's opponents gathered across the nation in mass protests as part of "No Kings Day" demonstrations to speak out against his administration's policies.
Protests took place in major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Philadelphia, as well as smaller towns. Some of the demonstrations saw clashes with counter-protesters and law enforcement.
In Minnesota, law enforcement officials warned the public not to attend the planned demonstrations across the state following the targeted shootings of the Democratic state lawmakers. But protesters still showed up, with some saying the attacks that transpired made the demonstrations more important.
Still, Trump, whose 79th birthday fell on the same day, has long pushed for a military parade in the nation's capital — an idea that was swatted down during his first term by Pentagon officials.
Now, with full control of government and an administration stacked with loyalists, Trump got the grandiose show of force he's always envisioned, even amid the critics.
The parade started about 30 minutes earlier than initially planned due to thunderstorms expected in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening.
Trump, aware of the weather threat, told his supporters in a Truth Social post earlier on Saturday that the parade would go on "RAIN OR SHINE."
Some of the flyovers planned for the parade were cancelled due to the inclement weather, NBC News reported, citing a U.S. Secret Service official.
A number of Trump's cabinet members joined him at the event, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Trump was accompanied on stage by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.
Throughout the day, there were military demonstrations and a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The event was said to be the largest military parade in Washington, D.C., since 1991, when President George H. W. Bush held a military parade at the conclusion of the Gulf War.
The dramatic split-screen between D.C. and cities across the nation comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in Los Angeles that have escalated since Trump deployed the National Guard to quell protests over immigration enforcement polices.
The celebration also comes as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, following Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear sites, and Iran's retaliatory attacks.
One particular sticking point for critics of the D.C. event, including some Republicans, was its high price tag. All told, the event could cost up to $45 million, according to an Army spokesperson.
But Trump said the cost is "peanuts compared to the value of doing it," in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" last month.
"Every other country celebrates their victories, it's about time America did too," Trump said during remarks at the parade.
The celebration wrapped up late Saturday with a fireworks display that went off promptly after the parade ended despite the looming threat of storms.
