Trump’s Parade Vs the People’s Protest: Two Very Different Versions of America

As President Donald Trump rallied the troops to Washington, DC on June 14—the date of the US Army’s 250th anniversary, Flag Day, and his birthday—millions of his constituents joined in the nationwide “No Kings” march.

It was a conflicting, polar day in America. In one city, a parade costing tens of millions of dollars was complete with robot military dogs walking down the street, the president being serenaded by a crowd singing Happy Birthday, and thousands of Army service members marching in rows. In a city just North of DC, at the flagship No Kings rally in Philadelphia, an estimated 80,000 people called out chants that have become familiar since 2016, like “Hey-hey! Ho-ho! Donald Trump has got to go!” and ones befitting the protest, like “Let freedom ring! We don’t want a king!”

Nearly 3,000 miles away in Los Angeles, police shot stun grenades and rubber bullets, and used tear gas, on a group of demonstrators protesting the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant communities. The offensive from police who claimed they were attempting to disperse the crowd came hours before the 8 o’clock curfew that part of downtown was placed under by Mayor Karen Bass.

Protestors have been rallying in Los Angeles all week amid the Trump administration’s rounding up of immigrants in the city and their subsequent moves to call in the National Guard and active-duty Marines to quell the pro-immigrant, anti-ICE demonstrations.

Below are just some of the images that illustrate what this one divisive day in the US looked like.

Robot Dogs, Trump, and Tanks

Military robot dogs walk alongside soldiers in the U.S. Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025.

MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump stand together at the end of the U.S Army parade on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump (top, C), flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth watch the Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade from the Ellipse in Washington, DC on June 14, 2025.

MANDEL NGAN/Getty Images

Members of the U.S. Army drive a Paladin self-propelled howitzer, M1 Abrams battle tank and Joint Tactical Vehicles in the 250th birthday parade on June 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

A child is allowed to inspect military hardware at one of the many booths set up on the National Mall during the Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade on June 14, 2025.

MATTHEW HATCHER/Getty Images

“No Kings” Protests Across the Nation

Crowds march in the street to protest President Trump during the ”No Kings Protest” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, on June 14, 2025.

NurPhoto/Getty Images

Actor Mark Ruffalo, along with thousands of New Yorkers, marched in opposition to Donald Trump’s presidency on the day of the military parade. (

Alex Kent/Getty Images

Protesters gather to demonstrate in support of the “No Kings” movement on June 14, 2025 at the intersection of Secor Road and Central Avenue in Toledo, Ohio.

Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

A child holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest in downtown Houston, Texas, June 14, 2025.

MARK FELIX/Getty Images

Protesters carry a banner representing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Police, State Violence In Los Angeles

Protesters are seen reflected in the sunglasses of a US Marine standing guard outside the Federal Building. (Photo by RINGO CHIU / AFP) (Photo by RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images)

RINGO CHIU/Getty Images

Water is poured over a man exposed to tear gas during a “No Kings” movement protest in the one-square-mile area where daily protests have been occurring in response to a series of federal immigration raids on June 14, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

David McNew/Getty Images

Members of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) shoot rubber bullets during a march in downtown L.A.

Apu Gomes/Getty Images

An injured woman is carried as protesters face off with police outside of a federal building in downtown Los Angeles for an anti-Trump “No Kings Day” demonstration.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

An LAPD officer pushes an elderly man during No Kings Day protests on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Cristopher Rogel Blanquet/Getty Images