Trump and other officials watched the procession of soldiers and armored vehicles from a reviewing stand, but many people on the ground in Washington did not witness any of the show of force. Instead, they were treated to vivid demonstrations of the tensions inspired by Trump’s administration.

President Donald Trump celebrated the "fighting spirit and unyielding force" of the American military in remarks following a parade in Washington, D.C. commemorating the 250th anniversary of the armed services that saw a grand showing of the military's power throughout the National Mall.