WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� A unfolding against the backdrop of unconventional flex of fighting forces in American streets this week is on track to begin Saturday evening with tanks, bands and thousands of troops.
The parade, honoring the and coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday, is set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial under the threat of stormy weather in Washington and the potential for protests around the country tied to a turbulent week of immigration enforcement that has involved military deployment in Los Angeles.
Trump has brushed off the possibility of both disruptions, with a social media post Saturday morning that said the 鈥済reat military parade鈥� would be on 鈥渞ain or shine.鈥� The protests, he said earlier, "will be met with very big force.鈥� Hours ahead of the parade, crowds of protesters with anti-Trump signs assembled for a march to the White House.
Added just a few weeks ago to the Army鈥檚 birthday celebration, the parade has triggered criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken to protect the streets, including laying metal plates down along the route.
About 6 in 10 Americans say Saturday鈥檚 parade is 鈥渘ot a good use鈥� of government money, including the vast majority of people, 78%, who neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from .
The daylong display of America鈥檚 Army comes as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided, inviting an and accusations that he is politicizing the military. In the last week, he has activated to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments.
He similarly sought to project military strength during his first presidential term, saying in 2020 that he wanted forces to 鈥渄ominate鈥� the streets following racial justice protests that turned violent and warning governors that he was prepared to send in active-duty fighters if they did not call out the National Guard in their states.
Earlier this week, Trump raised eyebrows during a when members of the 82nd Airborne Division were directed to stand behind Trump and they booed and , including condemnation of his predecessor, Joe Biden. There also was a pop-up 鈥淢ake America Great Again鈥� merchandise stand nearby selling souvenirs to troops in uniform.
The Defense Department has a doctrine that prohibits troops from participating in political activity while in uniform. Members of Congress and military leaders have expressed concerns about the political displays during the speech at Fort Bragg.
The parade fulfills Trump鈥檚 expressed desire for a big after seeing one in France on Bastille Day in 2017. Trump said that after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs-脡lys茅es, he wanted an even grander one on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Saturday鈥檚 event is expected to include about 6,600 soldiers, 50 helicopters and 60-ton , as well as and heightened security to match.
The parade will wind down Constitution Avenue, which is already lined with security fencing and barriers. Army helicopters and aircraft will fly above, and the march will be capped off by a parachute jump, a concert featuring 鈥淕od Bless the U.S.A.鈥� singer Lee Greenwood and fireworks.
Hours before the parade was scheduled to start, vendors set up shop on along Pennsylvania Avenue in anticipation of the expected large crowds. Large snowplows blocked off vehicle traffic, allowing pedestrians to walk on the historic street and visit vendors selling art, souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, beverages and food including funnel cakes and lobster rolls.
A daylong festival features fitness competitions, demonstrations, equipment displays, music and a cake-cutting ceremony.
It remained unclear whether any protests might disrupt the parade; none are currently scheduled to take place in Washington. Officials have said they so far have no indication of any security threat. However, 鈥� organizers picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration 鈥� nationwide are meant to counter what organizers say are Trump鈥檚 plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day.
Ahead of a planned rally and march toward the White House on Saturday afternoon, about 200 protesters assembling in northwest Washington鈥檚 Logan Circle handed out signs and danced to upbeat music from a local street band, including 鈥淭his Land Is Your Land.鈥�
The mood was celebratory as the group chanted 鈥淭rump must go now鈥� before erupting in cheers.
A larger than life puppet of Trump was wheeled through the crowd, a caricature of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet.
Other protesters waved pride flags and hoisted signs, some with pointed messages such as 鈥淚 prefer crushed ICE,鈥� 鈥淭he invasion was HERE Jan. 6th, NOT in L.A.鈥� and 鈥淔lip me off if you鈥檙e a FASCIST."
With rain expected, there is a chance the parade could be interrupted by thunderstorms.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly has said the march will go on rain or shine. But it could be delayed if there is lightning, with authorities quick to empty the expansive National Mall if it happens during major events.
The Army expects as many as 200,000 people could attend the festival and parade.
The parade is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. EDT, but parts of it 鈥� including the horse-drawn caissons and other units 鈥� start at the Pentagon, head over a bridge and meet up with some of the heavier tanks and equipment. Officials did not want the more-than-60-ton M1A1 Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles crossing the bridge.
Timed down to the minute, the march will be divided into sections by history 鈥� with equipment and troops in full dress from each period.
It will include a total of 6,169 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery, while 62 aircraft fly overhead.
At the end of the parade, Trump will swear in 250 new or reenlisting troops, and the Army's Golden Knights parachute team will jump onto the Mall. That will be followed by the concert and fireworks.
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Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Michelle L. Price, Nathan Ellgren, Lea Skene, Olivia Diaz, and Tara Copp contributed to this report.
Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
