With less than four days to go before Saturday’s high‑profile military parade honoring the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, Washington officials have enacted sweeping security measures, transit changes and road closures ahead of what is being treated as a National Special Security Event.
The parade will feature approximately 6,500 service members, clad in uniforms spanning Revolutionary War to modern‑day attire, accompanied by an air and ground demonstration that includes roughly 150 military vehicles, among them M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Strykers and Paladins, as well as 50 aircraft. The event will feature several aircraft flyovers throughout the evening of June 14.
The formal route runs east along Constitution Avenue between 23rd and 15th streets NW, beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by a celebration concert at the Ellipse and fireworks in the evening.
Security and logistics
As a declared NSSE, the event is under Secret Service leadership, with participation from the FBI, Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police, Park Police, and National Guard.
Preparations include:
- Over 18 miles of anti‑scaling fencing
- 17 miles of bike‑rack and concrete barriers
- 175 magnetometers
- Drone surveillance
- Numerous law‑enforcement personnel from local, state and federal level
At a press briefing on Monday, June 9 U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool said that officials are expecting “hundreds of thousands of people” to attend the event.
“We’re preparing for an enormous turnout,” McCool said. “That is why we are leaving no stone unturned.”
Military officials estimate crowds of approximately 200,000 people, prompting extensive setup of security checkpoints and crowd control measures.
Transit, closures and disruptions
Expect significant travel impacts:
- Metro: Smithsonian station’s Jefferson Drive entrance will be closed; nearby stations like Farragut and Archives remain open. Attendees are encouraged to use public transit, according to a map released by the Army.
- Roads: Closures along Constitution Avenue, George Washington Parkway, Rock Creek Parkway and adjacent streets begin for as long as four days. A full list of closures can be found on MPD’s website here.
- Air traffic: FAA will halt departures and arrivals at Reagan National Airport during the parade, affecting about 100–120 flights
Streets, infrastructure and costs
D.C. street infrastructure is under strain: each tank weighs over 60 tons, nearly twice the city’s 80,000‑pound weight limit. Authorities are reinforcing routes with metal plates and rubber tank track pads. Estimated repair costs reach $16 million, with the Army pledging to cover infrastructure damages.
Total budget estimates range from $25 million to $45 million, including infrastructure, logistics, and repairs, a spokeswoman for the Army told NBC News.
Protests and civil‑unrest
Demonstrations dubbed “No Kings” are currently scheduled to take place in more than 1,500 cities across all 50 states on Saturday, according to organizers of the mobilization effort. Despite this, there will not be a “No Kings” demonstration in the nation’s capital during the parade.
Though protests are expected, the Secret Service says there are no credible threats regarding Saturday’s event, but agents remain alert for potential spillover from unrest in other cities. Park Police report nine distinct protest groups have submitted permits
Although peaceful demonstrations are allowed, authorities pledge immediate action if protests turn violent.
As Washington braces for a weekend of tight security and diverging public sentiment, residents should be prepared for traffic delays and closures throughout the week as officials prepare for the event.
