Rain Begins to Fall at Military Parade Ground
Reporting from Washington, D.C., Bernd Debusmann Jr has noted that light rain has begun to trickle at the military parade ground, a development that organizers had anticipated. Currently, it is just a few drops, but earlier forecasts predicted heavy rain and possible thunderstorms. This weather could potentially disrupt some of the aerial displays planned for the parade. Journalists in the press area are hastily scrambling to cover their gear with plastic while donning raincoats. Meanwhile, I have taken refuge under a large umbrella, prompting a parade-goer to comment that I should stop being "so soft."
In downtown Los Angeles, a significant protest is taking place, with several thousand demonstrators stretching nearly a dozen city blocks. Jose Azetcla, a participant in the No Kings protest, is voicing his opposition to President Trump's immigration policies. "The injustices, the evil behind Trump’s administration - it’s not harsh; it’s evil. You don’t separate families," states Azetcla, a member of the civil rights group known as the Brown Berets, which was established in Los Angeles during the Chicano Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. At today's protest, U.S. flags, many displayed upside down, significantly outnumber the Mexican flags seen during last week's anti-Trump unrest, which was marred by looting, vandalism, and violence.
As I navigate through the crowd at the parade, a prevalent theme is the overwhelming sense of patriotism and pride in the U.S. military. I recently spoke with Myra Jolie, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Florida, who expressed her views on the parade. "It was time for this. Time for America to flex its muscles," she remarked. Jolie, an outspoken supporter of President Trump, believes that the parade exemplifies the "peace through strength" ethos that the president often promotes. While gesturing toward a nearby tank, she added, "These are some of our little toys, but not all of them. When we talk about peace through strength, we really mean it."
Travelers flying in and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) should brace for delays, as both the airport and the airspace surrounding the parade will be closed to civilian traffic. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that flights will be suspended from 18:00 EDT (22:00 GMT) until 21:30 EDT. This closure will notably inconvenience local residents and Congress members who typically prefer DCA for travel. The airport was previously shut down for 14 hours in January due to a mid-air collision involving an Army Blackhawk helicopter, resulting in the tragic loss of all 67 individuals on board both aircraft.
After successfully passing through the security gates—a process that proved to be quite arduous—I embarked on a long and hot trek to the media section near the parade ground. Currently, I am just a few hundred meters from where President Trump and other officials will be observing the parade. Two M1 Abrams tanks, the backbone of the Army's armored units, are prominently featured and will play a significant role in today’s event. Each tank requires a crew of four and weighs 68 tonnes, raising concerns about potential damage to Washington's streets. The Abrams tanks have served in the U.S. Army since the 1980s and have recently been deployed to Ukraine, where they have reportedly performed well in combat despite logistical challenges and attacks from Russian drones.
I arrived at the parade grounds early, around 13:30 local time (17:30 GMT), where I found several hundred—potentially even a thousand—attendees already lining up to enter the National Mall. Many had just come from a nearby fairground, where crowds gathered around Paladin self-propelled artillery vehicles and military helicopters. The weather is hot—over 80°F (27°C)—and extremely humid, leaving me and everyone else drenched in sweat, including serving soldiers and Secret Service personnel. One excited parade-watcher, Norma McDaniel from Virginia, shared, "I’m excited, but I didn’t think I would get this sweaty already."
California National Guard troops are currently deployed outside federal buildings in Los Angeles during the No Kings protest. Protesters are making obscene gestures and jeering at the troops. Earlier this year, the National Guard were hailed as heroes for protecting neighborhoods from looting following devastating wildfires. However, President Trump recently deployed the National Guard to LA amidst violent protests against immigration enforcement. California Governor Gavin Newsom has since sued the federal government, claiming they overstepped his authority by deploying troops without his request. This legal matter is still ongoing. Some troops, speaking anonymously, expressed their understanding of the protesters' jeering, stating, "It's our job. We’re here for the people, even if they don’t want us here."
The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified a credible threat against state lawmakers who were set to attend a protest at the state Capitol in Austin today. In a precautionary measure, both the Capitol and its surrounding areas have been evacuated. The statement did not specify which protest the threatened lawmakers were planning to attend, although local media indicates that an anti-Trump No Kings demonstration was scheduled for today. No names of the threatened lawmakers have been disclosed. This situation follows the politically motivated assassination of Democratic Minnesota state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband, which has raised significant concerns about safety. For the latest updates on the investigation into those tragic killings, stay tuned to our live coverage.
