The parade was the spectacle event Trump had long wanted. It also helped sparked the largest mass opposition to him since his inauguration 145 days earlier.

The president celebrates the 250th anniversary of the US Army as demonstrators hold "No Kings" events from coast to coast.

Palantir, the data analysis and technology firm whose contracts with the federal government are expanding, and Coinbase, a cryptocurrency firm that donated to the president’s inauguration, also sponsored the event. Oracle, a database company whose co-founder is a close friend of Mr. Trump’s, received a shout-out on Saturday as a sponsor.

More than 6,000 soldiers participated in the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C. — including the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets.

The parade, honoring the Army’s long-planned 250th anniversary celebration and coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, is set to step off from the Lincoln Memorial under the threat of stormy weather in Washington and protests around the country tied to a turbulent week of immigration enforcement that has involved military deployment in Los Angeles.

Sen. Rand Paul criticized the June 14 military parade, arguing that it was too expensive and “glorified” weapons.

The Army 250th birthday parade begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. Guest entry along the parade route is expected to begin at 2:00 p.m. Ahead of the parade are two events on the National Mall. The Army Fitness Competition and Awards Ceremony is from 9:30 a.