As Trump celebrates military, Texans protest president’s aggressive immigration enforcement
Demonstrations in McAllen, Midland, Odessa, Austin and elsewhere in Texas were largely peaceful, as some protests went well into the night.
WATCH: Crowd sings ‘Happy Birthday’ to Trump at US Army’s 250th anniversary parade
As President Donald Trump closed his remarks and invited first lady Melania Trump to the dais along U.S. 50 in downtown Washington, the assembled crowd of thousands began an impromptu rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The president, who turned 79 Saturday, smiled and paused as the singing gave way to a young Army officer approaching with a folded U.S. flag. The officer presented Trump the flag on behalf of the U.S. Army Golden Knights and said it had flown over the Capitol earlier in the day to commemorate the nation’s oldest military branch. TRUMP CELEBRATES US’ LONG HISTORY OF GIVING FOREIGN ENEMIES ‘HELL’ AT MASSIVE MILITARY PARADE Trump had received blowback, mostly from the left, for holding the Army commemoration with critics pointing out it also fell on his birthday. “I’m horrified by the parade, because this is not about honoring our military,” Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a frequent Trump critic, said on a recent podcast. “It’s a military vanity show for a president who’s long wanted to have tanks rolling down the streets of our nation’s capital.” HEADING TO TRUMP’S MILITARY PARADE? HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., also recently drafted the HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act, which would prohibit taxpayer dollars for such celebrations. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP During the parade, Vice President JD Vance noted that Saturday was his and second lady Usha Vance’s wedding anniversary. It is also Flag Day, the date in 1777 when the Continental Congress adopted Betsy Ross’ Stars and Stripes flag.
Top photos from Trump’s 250th birthday parade for the US Army
As the Army celebrates its 250 year celebration, President Donald Trump hosts a military parade to demonstrate the history and power of the United States Army.
White House slams ‘utter failure’ of anti-Trump protests as America celebrates Army’s historic milestone
White House communications director Steven Cheung addressed the nationwide “No Kings” protests on Saturday, describing them as “a complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance.” Thousands of planned protests, which remained peaceful as the Army’s 250th anniversary parade commenced, followed a week of violent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles and other cities. GOVERNORS WARN ANTI-TRUMP ‘NO KINGS’ PROTESTERS AGAINST BECOMING VIOLENT: ‘YOU’RE GOING TO GET ARRESTED’ No Kings organizers chose to hold the demonstrations the same day as the military parade, which coincided with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. “It is sad Democrats and liberals would rather support criminals and illegals instead of celebrating the 250th anniversary of our great U.S. Army and Flag Day,” Cheung wrote in an X post. “But many more Americans are commemorating our brave military men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice and those who continue to serve our country.” WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT TODAY’S ‘NO KINGS’ ANTI-TRUMP RALLIES ACROSS THE US Republican lawmakers cheered the effort, describing it as an “incredible opportunity” to showcase the strength, discipline and teamwork of the U.S. military. “It’s an honor to support our service members in our nation’s capital,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wrote in an X post. “Thank you to every man and woman in uniform for your dedication and service to our country!” HEADING TO TRUMP’S MILITARY PARADE? HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW However, Democrats mostly criticized the Army celebration, citing its cost and alleging it was an excuse to celebrate Trump’s birthday. California Gov. Gavin Newsom spoke out shortly after the parade began on Saturday, saying the celebration “should be about” service members. “Our service members are the heroes,” Newsom wrote on X. “We are PROUD of the U.S. Army and the brave men and women who serve. They’ve dedicated their lives to something bigger than themselves. Today should be about them. Not Donald Trump.” Minutes later, Newsom’s press office posted a photo from the event, with the caption, “THIS IS THE LARGEST PRESIDENTIAL BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Despite the divisive rhetoric about the event, the U.S. Army said the parade “is a reminder that we’ve always been there for America, and we always will. THIS WE’LL DEFEND.”