Live Updates: Trump oversees DC military parade on day of ‘No Kings’ protests
About 2,000 “No Kings” demonstrations took place Saturday, June 14, in all 50 states the same day of President Donald Trump’s military parade, which celebrates the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and coincides with his birthday.
Millions were expected to participate in the protests.
The demonstrations were planned by 50501 — a grassroots movement that began as a response to what the organization calls “anti-democratic” actions of the Trump administration — and organized locally by independent volunteers. They came as protesters voice opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s arrests under the president’s long-promised immigration crackdown.
In Los Angeles, the Trump administration sent the National Guard and hundreds of Marines in response to anti-ICE rallies that began June 6 and continued for days. Americans are divided over the decision to deploy troops to the largely peaceful rallies, according to recent polling, McClatchy News reported.
Follow McClatchy News’ live updates on the demonstrations and events in Washington, D.C.
DC: White House livestreams the military parade
The White House is livestreaming the parade honoring the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. You can watch it below.
National: Mostly ‘peaceful’ protests across the US (8:10 p.m. ET)
A majority of “No Kings” protests across the country seemed to wind down peacefully, according to reports.
More than 60,000 people attended two peaceful demonstrations in downtown San Diego, the police department said in a June 14 news release.
“It was so encouraging to see so many people gather peacefully today,” Police Chief Scott Wahl said in the release.
The organizers of the “No Kings” events nationwide said one of their core principles is nonviolence.
“We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events,” organizers said.
California: Tear gas deployed on group of protesters near federal building in Los Angeles (7:45 p.m. ET)
Loud bangs can be heard as a group of law enforcement face a small group of protesters in downtown Los Angeles, live video from the Associated Press shows.
This is the first reported major escalation of “No Kings” protests, according to The New York Times.
The Los Angeles Police Department has ordered demonstrators to disperse in a portion of downtown between “Alameda South of Aliso North of Temple,” officials said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“People in the crowd are throwing rocks, bricks, bottles and other objects,” police said.
Authorities have started to push protesters away from the federal building and tear gas has been deployed, according to The New York Times.
People in the crowd chanted “peaceful protest” as they faced officers, video shows.
Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters gathered in the streets of Los Angeles for a peaceful “No Kings” demonstration. The rally was commended by Mayor Karen Bass.
“LA is strong. This is what a peaceful protest looks like,” she said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
DC: See tanks, military parade in honor of 250th anniversary of US Army (7:20 p.m. ET)
The president, with first lady Melania Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, saluted as the military parade stepped off in the nation’s capital.
Onlookers watched tanks and infantry members roll through Constitution Avenue while listening to the history of the now-250-year-old United States Army.
The parade, however, races against incoming storms in the D.C. area as they head east toward the city, the Washington Post’s meteorologists reported.
The elaborate parade and day-long festival is estimated to have cost between $25 million and $45 million, army officials estimated to CBS.
Six in 10 adults said the parade is not a good use of government funds, according to an AP-NORC poll released on June 12. Sixty-five percent of Republican respondents approved of the spending, but fewer Democrats and independents liked the idea.
DC: Military parade begins, Trump introduced (6:20 p.m. ET)
Chants of “USA, USA” echoed through a smaller-than-expected crowd at the military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C.
Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance walked out first, followed by Trump and first lady Melania Trump. The event began about 30 minutes before the planned start time, due to anticipated storms.
California: ‘No King’ human banner forms on San Francisco beach (5:45 p.m. ET)
With signs and flags in hand, protesters in San Francisco stood still. Instead of marching, they carefully crafted a “No Kings” display best seen from above.
An aerial photo taken of San Francisco’s Ocean Beach by San Francisco Chronicle photojournalist Santiago Mejia shows the human banner spelling “No King!”
Video from the Chronicle shows demonstrators holding an American flag at the base of the message, then rotating to turn the flag upside down from the aerial view.
Virginia: Man ‘intentionally’ drives into crowd of protesters, police say (5:15 p.m. ET)
A man drove his car into a crowd at the end of a protest in Virginia, hitting at least one person, police said.
Joseph Checklick, 21, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, the Culpeper Police Department said in a June 14 news release. He is being held without bond at the Culpeper County Jail, police said.
According to police, Checklick drove into the dispersing pedestrians “intentionally.”
No injuries were reported, and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
DC: Spectators, protesters gather ahead of the military parade (5:05 p.m. ET)
Crowds in Washington, D.C., were sparse about two hours ahead of Trump’s military parade, celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
A few miles down from the parade route, more than 100 demonstrators gathered, despite no official “No Kings” events planned for the location.
McClatchy News reached out to national organizers of the “No Kings” events for comment on the small group of protesters but did not receive an immediate response.
Texas: State capitol evacuated due to ‘credible threat,’ police say (4:50 p.m. ET)
Update: The Texas Department of Public Safety announced just after 6 p.m. ET that there is “no additional active threat” after arresting one person in connection to the evacuation. The original update continues below.
Authorities say they identified a “credible threat” toward lawmakers planning to attend the “No Kings” protest held at the state capitol building in Austin on Saturday, the Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement.
The Texas State Capitol Complex was evacuated around 1 p.m. local time “out of an abundance of caution,” according to police. The capitol building and grounds are temporarily closed.
The “No Kings” rally in Austin is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time, according to an Instagram story post by Hands Off Central TX. Organizers told KXAN there are no plans to cancel the event.
Florida: ‘No Kings’ protesters march toward Mar-a-Lago in West Palm Beach (4:40 p.m. ET)
In South Florida, protesters organized near the president’s Florida home and private club, Mar-a-Lago, in West Palm Beach..
A march from a nearby state park to the heavily guarded club commenced on Saturday as celebrations of the president’s birthday coincided in the area, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.
A photo from WPTV shows demonstrators standing in front of armed guards.
“Today, it stands for something greater, because it doesn’t belong to one man. It doesn’t belong to one movement or one party,” former Trump associate Lev Parnas said as he addressed protesters, according to USA Today. “It belongs to every single one of you out there, every single American who’s ever dared to dream.”
An ‘Anti-Trump Birthday Party Rally’ was organized after the march to Mar-a-Lago, WPTV reported.
Philadelphia: Martin Luther King III addresses crowds (4:20 p.m. ET)
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the late civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, spoke to “No Kings” demonstrators in the rain from a stage in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
“We gather here in the shadow of Independence Hall to declare that we the people still believe in democracy. We still believe in justice, and we still believe in a nation without kings,” King said.
The King family has been outspoken against Trump and his administration’s policies, including in February, when King published an op-ed against some of the president’s comments about his father.
National: Protesters march in New York City, pass Trump Tower in Chicago (3:55 p.m. ET)
Thousands of demonstrators gathered on a drizzly day in Midtown, Manhattan, causing a vehicle closure for a 20-block stretch along Fifth Avenue, according to the New York Police Department.
“Today’s message is that we don’t want an oligarchy in this county. We want a restoration of democracy,” one protester, walking with Brooklyn for Peace, told WNBC. “ ... There’s a lot of lives at stake here.”
Crowds of protesters waved upside-down American flags and chanted as they walked across a bridge overlooking Trump International Hotel & Tower in downtown Chicago, video shows.
“We are doing this for our grandchildren’s future because we believe the country has taken a turn for the worse under this administration. We believe that standing up and people hearing our voices is the most profound way to get our message across,” Theresa Hoban told the Chicago Tribune.
Among the Chicago crowd were lawmakers, including retiring Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Chuy Garcia, who also addressed the demonstrators at Daley Plaza before the march began.
“I see a country which decided in 1776 ‘no more kings in America.’ We the people govern, not the kings,” Durbin said in a video posted by CBS Chicago.
Minnesota: Suspect identified in lawmaker shootings, had manifesto (3:10 p.m. ET)
A suspect in the shootings of Minnesota lawmakers has been identified, the Associated Press reported.
Two people close to the matter told the outlet 57-year-old Vance Boelter is sought as the suspect in the shootings.
A manifesto identifying a long list of Democratic lawmakers, abortion advocates and providers, and other officials was found during a search of the suspect’s vehicle, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said during a June 14 news briefing.
Those individuals were alerted and “provided with security where necessary,” Bruley said.
“No Kings” protest flyers were also found in the suspect’s vehicle, Col. Christina Bogojevic, with the Minnesota State Patrol, said during a separate news briefing.
Public officials recommended people not attend planned “No Kings” protests in Minnesota, and organizers canceled all events in the state as the manhunt for the suspected shooter continued.
Despite cancellations and recommendations by public officials, however, “No Kings” demonstrators gathered in Duluth, WDIO reported.
Los Angeles: ‘Don’t even try:’ Mayor Karen Bass warns against violence as rallies begin (2:50 p.m. ET)
Following a week of protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles, thousands have peacefully organized downtown in the California city for “No Kings” demonstrations, a livestream from KABC shows.
Active-duty U.S. Marines, under orders from the president, have been on guard at federal buildings since June 13 as lawmakers warn protesters to remain peaceful, The Washington Post reported.
“We will not allow violence, vandalism or other dangerous behavior today – do not even try it in our city,” Bass said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A peaceful march began in the city around 10 a.m. local time in conjunction with “No Kings” events throughout the county, KTLA reported.
Boston: ‘No Kings’ demonstrators join Pride parade, say ‘Yaaas Queen!’ (2:15 p.m. ET)
In Boston, “No Kings” rallies fell on the same day as the Pride parade. People taking part in the rallies were encouraged to join the parade route, according to Mass 50501, organizers of the “No Kings, but Yaaas Queen!” demonstration.
“Bring your Pride flags and signs showing steadfast support for LGBTQIA+ rights and protesting the tyranny of a fascist administration that seeks to erase our communities from public life, American history, and our nation’s future,” organizers said.
In the 2024 presidential election between Trump and then-Vice President Kamala Harris, 86% of LGBTQ voters cast their ballots for Harris, per exit polls. It was Trump’s worst-ever performance with LGBTQ voters, about 8% of the population.
DC: Will it rain on Trump’s parade? What to know about weather and schedule (1:45 p.m. ET)
There are no “No Kings” demonstrations planned directly in Washington, D.C., where Trump is set to host a military parade honoring the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The parade also coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
Despite a cloudy start to the day and rain and storms expected later, the day’s events will continue as planned, the president said.
“Remember, a rainy day parade brings good luck,” Trump said in a June 14 post on Truth Social.
Thunderstorms are expected in the D.C. area starting at 5 p.m. and late into the evening, according to The Weather Channel.
A flood watch has been issued in the area for Saturday afternoon and evening.
Here is a schedule of events for the parade in D.C.:
▪ 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Fitness Competition and Awards
▪ 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Army Birthday Festival
▪ 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Army Birthday Festival Official Ceremony with cake cutting
▪ 6:30 p.m. — Army 250th Birthday Parade begins
Fireworks will be held on the National Mall to conclude the event.
During a U.S. Army livestream, Sgt. Tyler Butterworth described the mood as “exciting.”
“Everybody is happy to be here to celebrate the birthday and have a good time,” Butterworth said.
National: ‘No Kings’ demonstrations kick off across the US (1:30 p.m. ET)
Demonstrators across U.S. cities gathered in opposition to policies enacted by the Trump administration during the first months of his second term.
“No Kings in America since 1776,” read a sign at the “No Kings” flagship rally in Philadelphia, photos from WCAU show.
The day is intended to oppose actions and policies some voters and politicians decry as “authoritarian,” U.S. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) said during Houston’s demonstration, according to KRIV.
Photos and videos from local news outlets across the country show the protests the morning of June 14 remain peaceful as organizers lead chants for crowds with homemade anti-Trump signs.
“To believe in the United States Constitution is to believe there is no American king,” Darlene McDonald said during a demonstration in Salt Lake City, Utah, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
The National Guard is on standby in some areas including in Missouri, Virginia, Texas and Nebraska, according to CBS News, but organizers of “No Kings” day have instructed protesters to remain non-violent.
Global: ‘No Kings’ protests go international, too (1 p.m. ET)
Of the nearly 2,000 “No Kings” demonstrations happening across the globe, around 30 are planned across South America and Europe, according to 50501, the movement that led organizing the “No Kings” demonstrations.
“This is a global stand,” the organization said in a June 11 post on Bluesky.
The international demonstrations took on the slight rebrand of “No Tyrants” in some countries, including the United Kingdom, according to the “No Kings” website.
Minnesota: Police, governor warn against ‘No Kings’ protests after shooting of lawmakers (12 p.m. ET)
The shootings of two state lawmakers and their spouses just north of Minneapolis early Saturday have prompted the Minnesota State Patrol and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to warn people against participating in protests across the state “out of an abundance of caution.”
Walz said one of the politically motivated shootings led to the deaths of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home. A second shooting just a few miles away injured Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Walz said Hoffman and his wife were taken to the hospital for surgery and he is “cautiously optimistic” they will survive. Both of the targeted lawmakers are Democrats.
Authorities said a gunman posing as a law enforcement officer is sought in the shootings and exchanged fire with officers when confronted. He fled the scene and remains at large, according to authorities, who said he was driving a vehicle equipped to appear as one belonging to law enforcement.
“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law,” Trump said in a statement posted by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published June 14, 2025 at 12:08 PM.
