Latest news with #MilitaryParade
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
New ‘dictator approved' sculpture of smashed Statue of Liberty arrives in DC - but nobody knows who is behind it
A new 'dictator approved' sculpture cropped up on the National Mall in front of the Capitol building days after President Donald Trump 's military parade — but the creator remains a mystery. The sculpture, titled 'Dictator Approved,' depicts a golden hand — giving a thumbs up — crushing the top of the Statute of Liberty. Her crown is cracked, and one of the seven spikes has fallen off, lying atop the pedestal. It appeared on the National Mall in Washington, DC on Tuesday. Trump, who first announced his presidential run in 2015 by descending a golden escalator, has transformed the Oval Office, covering much of it in gold. A pedestal is also adorned with gold plaques featuring quotes from several world leaders, often characterized as dictators, praising Trump. 'President Trump 'is a very bright and talented man,'' a quote attributed to Russian President Vladimir Putin reads. On another side bears a quote from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán: "The most respected, the most feared person is Donald Trump." The artwork appeared days after the president's military parade in the nation's capital, which coincided with this birthday celebration — and nationwide 'No Kings' protests. The artwork has a permit to be on the National Mall though June 22, WTOP reported. The Independent has reached out to the National Park Service for more information. The permit states: 'Military parade on 6/14 will feature imagery similar of autocratic, oppressive regimes, i.e. N. Korea, Russia, and China, marching through DC. This statue will call attention of that imagery by linking our American traditions of freedom of the actually praising these types of oppressive leaders have given Donald Trump.' 'It's just a sign of today's political climate,' Diane, a woman walking in the National Mall, told the outlet. 'It's crushing liberty, that's what it says to me.' The permit says a security guard is required to guard the statue 24/7. The security guard told the Washingtonian that reactions to the artwork have been 'pretty mixed.' The latest anti-Trump sculpture comes eight months after other political art pieces appeared on the National Mall. In October, a bronze sculpture resembling former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's desk, complete with an emoji-shaped poop, cropped up near the Capitol building. 'This memorial honors the brave men and women who broke into the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021 to loot, urinate and defecate throughout those hallowed halls in order to overturn an election,' the plaque beneath the artwork read. 'President Trump celebrates these heroes of January 6th as 'unbelievable patriots' and 'warriors.' This monument stands as a testament to their daring sacrifice and lasting legacy.'
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CNA
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Commentary: From Trump's parade to ‘No Kings' protests, the clash over what makes America great has only just begun
SINGAPORE: Two versions of American patriotism were on full display this weekend: a military-based message of might, and a grassroots-based outpouring of will. But the jury is still out over which version will triumph as the people and the Trump administration seek to define what makes America great. On Saturday (Jun 14), more than 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles and 50 aircraft paraded down Constitution Avenue in the heart of the American capital to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. It was also President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Across the rest of the country, millions of 'No Kings' protesters demonstrated against the Trump administration's policies and alleged abuses of power. While the parade and protests did not physically meet, they are part of a larger struggle to define American patriotism. DONALD TRUMP FINALLY GOT HIS BIG PARADE Since the end of World War II, military parades have been rare, but not unheard of in American history. The US did not hold national or major city parades after the Korean and Vietnam wars, though an 8,000-troop-strong victory parade rolled down Constitution Avenue after the Gulf War of 1991. One would have to go back even further to the 1950s and 1960s to find a military parade for a US president. Dwight Eisenhower and John F Kennedy featured military segments in their inauguration parades, but no modern president has repeated this display. Many observers borrow Mr Eisenhower's thoughts to explain this: Having the US military imitate Soviet parades makes it look weak. Mr Trump, however, would beg to differ. His desire for a military parade began during his first administration, especially after he witnessed the Bastille Day parade in July 2017, calling it a 'tremendous thing for France and for the spirit of France' and suggested that he would 'try and top it'. In May, he expressed irritation that France and Russia were commemorating the end of World War II with elaborate celebrations while America was not. As he told the crowd after the parade in Washington DC: 'Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time that America did, too.' A DIFFERENT VERSION OF AMERICAN PATRIOTISM Meanwhile, the 'No Kings' protests presented a different version of American patriotism – not about the conflicts its military has won but the systems and way of life it has protected, not about enforcing the law at all costs but upholding America's system of checks and balances. Hence, the name 'No Kings': Protesters criticise Mr Trump's actions as overstepping the limits of a democratically elected president and more akin to a king. It is difficult to ignore that the parade coincided with Mr Trump's birthday, conflating his leadership with military strength. At least one veterans group turned down invitation to the official reviewing stand because they were uncomfortable with the political implications of the parade. There is also a question of cost at a time of US government-funded programmes and federal jobs cuts. According to an AP-NORC poll, 60 per cent of Americans believed the parade was not a good use of government funds. Mr Trump's initial plans for a military parade in 2018 were frustrated by hesitant aides and a massive US$92 million price tag. This year, it was estimated to cost up to US$45 million. More broadly, the parade took place amid growing protests against immigration crackdowns in Democrat-run cities. Mr Trump ostensibly wanted to pit an image of power, order and stability against 'lawless riots'. This is especially since the epicentre of recent protests is California, whose governor Gavin Newsom, has locked horns with Mr Trump and is reportedly positioning himself for a 2028 presidential run. BUILDING UP TO A BIGGER POLITICAL CLASH If Mr Trump wanted a spectacle, he certainly received one. In Washington, the parade rolled out despite threatening weather conditions, with generations of American military hardware from P-51 Mustangs to Abrams tanks proudly featured. Yet, attendance for the parade appeared to be far below the 200,000 expected guests. Recordings that emerged from the parade were also less-than-flattering, from the squeak of threads from old Sherman tanks to soldiers awkwardly holding up drones as they marched. In comparison, millions of protesters were estimated to have attended No Kings protests in all 50 states. If true, that would make it the largest single-day protest in American history, far bigger than the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests which peaked at 500,000 people. Granted, attendance at political events does not equate to electoral support. Mr Trump won the popular vote just eight months ago, after all, despite months of sold-out rallies for then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Outrage over the immigration crackdown and other measures might fade by the midterm elections in 2026, let alone 2028. However, it is clear that popular resistance to Mr Trump has returned at an unprecedented scale and level of coordination. It is likely that the political clash between the protesters and the administration has only just begun.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘No Kings' Rallies Draw Massive Crowds in US as Clashes Hit LA
(Bloomberg) -- Protesters filled streets in hundreds of cities across the US to oppose President Donald Trump's administration on Saturday, as he held a military parade in Washington. Shuttered NY College Has Alumni Fighting Over Its Future Trump's Military Parade Has Washington Bracing for Tanks and Weaponry NYC Renters Brace for Price Hikes After Broker-Fee Ban As Part of a $45 Billion Push, ICE Prepares for a Vast Expansion of Detention Space Do World's Fairs Still Matter? Anti-Trump activists, including labor unions and civil-rights groups, organized the nationwide demonstrations under the banner of 'No Kings,' denouncing what they say are Trump's authoritarian tendencies — and the parade being held on his 79th birthday. The nationwide protests were largely peaceful, with anti-Trump chants, banners opposing the president's effort to deport undocumented immigrants, and people dancing in the streets. But the day also saw sporadic violence. In Salt Lake City, Utah, one person was shot during a protest, police said. Los Angeles saw skirmishes between law enforcement and demonstrators in the city's downtown area after the main protest ended. The 'day of defiance' was initially called to protest the US president's turning the Army's 250th birthday celebration into an expansive show of military hardware. It gained urgency after federal immigration raids in Los Angeles sparked protests and political strife between Trump and Democratic leaders. Major demonstrations took place in Philadelphia, the cradle of US independence, Chicago and across California, including San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles, where the opposition to immigration raids had prompted Trump to seize control of the state's National Guard and deploy US Marines. In New York, marchers gathered at Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan and marched down Fifth Avenue. The Seattle Police Department placed the crowd size in that city in excess of 70,000 and said there were no confrontations or property destruction. 'Let's make sure we show the world the best of Los Angeles and our country,' Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said as protests got underway. 'Let's stand in contrast to the provocation, escalation and violence.' The city's police chief Jim McDonnell predicted a turnout of tens of thousands, numbers that appeared to materialize across the city. After a largely peaceful day, hundreds of law enforcement officers swarmed a small section of the city's downtown as the main protest ended. They guarded key government buildings including City Hall and the federal building, while dispersing demonstrators with pepper balls, flash bangs and less-lethal projectiles. Protesters hurled some bottles and rocks and shot fireworks, according to police. Scenes showed police on horseback rushing demonstrators and aggressively pushing them back. While police faced scattered violence in Los Angeles, fears of an eruption of violence in the city did not materialize. As night fell, the downtown area remained largely calm, with police enforcing a curfew. The day was earlier marred when two Democratic state politicians in Minnesota were shot, one of them fatally, in what Trump said was likely a targeted attack. 'No Kings' canceled its events across the state as law enforcement hunted for the shooter. In Texas, authorities temporarily evacuated the state capitol complex in Austin after receiving threats against state lawmakers planning to attend a 'No Kings' protest. A suspect was arrested later Saturday at a traffic stop in the town of La Grange, the Texas Department of Public Safety said on social media. About 2,000 events were planned, from the West Coast to Miami and the Midwest to New England. Organizers explicitly excluded Washington from the protests, saying they wanted to draw a contrast with the Army parade and make 'everywhere else the story of America' on the day. About 200 protesters assembled anyway about a 20-minute walk from the White House, AP reported. In Louisville, Kentucky, a crowd of thousands sang in unison and cheered motorists who honked their horns in support, broadcaster WHAS reported. US Senator Bernie Sanders said he drew more than 500 people in Stowe, Vermont, at a protest meant to say no 'to the authoritarianism that has taken hold of our country.' --With assistance from Susanne Barton and Julie Fine. American Mid: Hampton Inn's Good-Enough Formula for World Domination The Spying Scandal Rocking the World of HR Software New Grads Join Worst Entry-Level Job Market in Years As Companies Abandon Climate Pledges, Is There a Silver Lining? US Tariffs Threaten to Derail Vietnam's Historic Industrial Boom ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Was Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir Invited To US Military Parade? Washington Says...
After speculations bubbled up about a possible invitation to Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir for the United States' Military Parade, the White House debunked the claims and clarified its stand on the matter. "This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited," according to IANS, a White House official stated. US Army Birthday The parade commemorates the formal founding of the US Army on June 14, 1775. It was formulated to fight the British colonialists, one year before the US attained Independence. Thousands of troops, several tanks, helicopters, and other military hardware were scheduled to participate in the parade, which will also feature flyovers. Moreover, the US does not have a tradition of such military parades like the Indian Republic Day or French Bastille Day parades. The US witnessed a military show last time in 1991 when the National Victory Celebration was held after it defeated Iraq in the First Gulf War to liberate Kuwait, which was also known as 'Operation Desert Storm.' The date of the US Army's Founding Day coincides with the birthday of US President Trump, who turned 79. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh was among the people who had claimed of invitation to Asim Munir. Also Read: US Army's 250th Birthday Celebration Draws Curtains Amid 'No Kings' Demonstrations India-Pakistan Recent Tensions The tensions between India and Pakistan were skyrocketing for a while after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), had initially claimed responsibility for the attack but later retracted. This led to New Delhi taking action against Islamabad on the diplomatic front. The Indian Armed Forces on May 7 launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The strikes were precise and non-escalatory in nature; however, Pakistan turned offensive and launched a swarm of drones and missile attacks on the Indian territory. Following the actions of Pakistan, India took action as well and strikes were carried out on multiple Pakistani airbases. On the diplomatic front, New Delhi announced the formation and travel of seven All-Party Delegations, which carried on India's policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism to key partner nations. Immediately after India's announcement regarding the All-Party Delegations, Pakistan took a similar decision, and former Foreign Minister of the Islamic State Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was entrusted to carry out a mission like India's. But, reportedly, the Pakistan People's Party leader failed to meet any senior US official above the rank of an Under Secretary.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
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 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." Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., also recently drafted the HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act, which would prohibit taxpayer dollars for such celebrations. 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.
