People protest against the Trump administration during a military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army outside the White House, Washington D.C., U.S., June 14, 2025. /CGTN
U.S. President Donald Trump held a military parade in Washington on Saturday as tens of thousands of protesters rallied across the country.
The parade, officially marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army but also coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday, featured tanks, a flyover and troops marching past.
However, the deep political divisions in the United States were underscored as "No Kings" demonstrators earlier took to the streets in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Houston and Atlanta.
The "No Kings" protest organizers expected millions of people to participate in 1,500 cities across the country.
Thousands turned out in Los Angeles to protest against Trump's deployment of troops in the country's second-largest city following clashes sparked by immigration raids.
The White House dismissed the rallies. "The so-called No Kings protests have been a complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance," White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a post on X, despite photos of large crowds in several cities.
People protest against the Trump administration during a military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army outside the White House, Washington D.C., U.S., June 14, 2025. /CGTN
The killing of a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota also cast a pall over Saturday's parade.
Trump was quick to condemn the attacks outside Minneapolis in which former state speaker Melissa Hortman died along with her husband. Meanwhile, another state lawmaker and his wife were hospitalized with gunshot wounds.
(With input from AFP)