Nationwide “No Kings” protest planned for parade on Trump’s birthday

Activists are coordinating a protest on June 14—Flag Day and President Donald Trump’s birthday—targeting a military-style parade planned by the Trump administration.

The president has said the parade will be a patriotic tribute, but the “No Kings” group, which is organizing the protest, has described the parade as “a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday.”

Newsweek has contacted the Department of Defense for comment.

Why It Matters

Since Trump returned to office in January, there have been major nationwide protests against his policies. The June 14 event is shaping up as a flash point for tensions between Trump’s critics and supporters. Opponents of the planned parade have compared it to authoritarian displays of military power, but the president has defended the value of the “big, beautiful” parade to celebrate the country.

What To Know

The “No Kings” group, along with partners such as Black Voters Matter and the Declaration for American Democracy, is mobilizing volunteers to show up “everywhere Trump isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings.”

“Real power isn’t staged in Washington,” the group said. “It rises up everywhere else.”

Planning documents for the parade obtained by the Associated Press call for more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and possibly about 2,000 civilians.

Defense officials told NBC News that this kind of parade could cost up to $45 million, which Trump said was “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”

“My birthday happens to be on Flag Day,” Trump told NBC News’ Meet the Press. “I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday. Somebody put it together. But no, I think we’re going to do something on June 14 maybe or somewhere around there. But I think June 14. It’s a very important day.”

“We have the greatest missiles in the world,” Trump said. “We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it.”

What People Are Saying

Army spokesperson Colonel Dave Butler recently told the Associated Press: “We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us. We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.”

What Happens Next

The “No Kings” coalition is recruiting volunteers online and working with local chapters in more than 30 states. Organizers say they expect thousands to participate in coordinated events, with more information to be released closer to June 14.

Law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C., are preparing for heightened security, though officials have not disclosed specific plans.

Both supporters and opponents of the planned events are using social media to rally attendees.