"This is what dictators do"

A massive military parade to celebrate a leader's birthday is like something out of a totalitarian dictatorship.

Harris, On June 14, Donald Trump is planning to celebrate his birthday with an enormous, $45 million military parade, complete with 150 tanks and other vehicles, 50 airplanes, 50 helicopters, and nearly 7,000 soldiers marching in front of the White House.1 In the words of the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump's first term, this is "what dictators do."1 But Congress has the power to block funding for this dangerous military show, and we're demanding they they put a stop to this grotesque authoritarian spectacle. In addition, we're supporting a coalition to help mobilize "No Kings" counterprotests around the country on June 14. Will you make a donation to help fight back against Trump's June 14 military parade, and push for other key reforms? If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately. Donate $20 Donate $40 Donate $75 Or, donate another amount A massive military parade to celebrate a leader's birthday is something out of a totalitarian dictatorship. There have been parades in the past to celebrate the end of major wars, like the Civil War and World War II. But never on a president's birthday, and never something so flagrantly politicized.1 It's especially chilling since Trump has launched an all-out war on the separation of powers, due process, and the independent judiciary. This is a man who pledged to be a "dictator on day one" and to "terminate" the constitution.1 Now we're seeing Trump's authoritarian fantasies become our living nightmare. The good news is that Congress can block funding for Trump's birthday military parade, and we're flooding Capitol Hill with petition signatures and emails to demand that our elected leaders stop this wasteful abuse of power. Will you donate $20 to help fight back against Trump's June 14 military parade, and push for other key reforms? With gratitude, The team at Demand Progress Action DONATE Sources: 1. The Washington Post, "Trump to mark Army's birthday, and his, with parade of 6,600 soldiers," May 2, 2025. 2. The New Yorker, "Inside the War Between Trump and His Generals," August 8, 2022. 3. The New York Times, "Trump Is Getting the Military Parade He Wanted in His First Term," May 27, 2025. 4. The Guardian, "Donald Trump sure makes a lot of 'jokes' about ruling as a dictator, doesn't he?," July 31, 2024. Contributions to ActBlue Civics and Demand Progress Action are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Join our online community on Instagram or Twitter. Receiving too many emails from Demand Progress? You can opt to pause emails from Demand Progress for a month. And of course you can unsubscribe from this list at any time.