US Army 250th anniversary parade begins in Washington – watch live | US News

A parade marking the US Army’s 250th anniversary – and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday – is getting under way.

You can watch the event in the livestream above.

Speaking earlier this week, Mr Trump said it was going to be a “big day”, adding: “We want to show off a little bit.”

Today is the first time in more than 30 years that tanks have rolled through the US capital.

Officials have estimated around 200,000 people could turn out, including protesters, plus 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 aircraft.

However, it appears far fewer have turned out – possibly due to the poor weather – and the president has warned any protesters who interfere “will be met with very big force”.

Mr Trump is watching alongside the first lady and defence secretary as troops and military hardware file past.

The event started half an hour early due to forecasted heavy rain, with cloud forcing the cancellation of a low-level flypast by fighter jets.

Helicopters such as Apaches and Black Hawks are still taking part however.

Military parachutists from the Golden Knights began the parade by swooping in, and some of the soldiers are parading in historic uniforms, complete with horses and wagons.

Vehicles from the Second World War era are also taking part.

President Trump stood and saluted many of the passing soldiers. He is said to have got the idea for the parade after being impressed with France’s Bastille Day celebrations during a visit in 2017.

Metal plates have been put down on some of the streets to protect the tarmac against the heaviest tanks.

Even so, the US Army has set aside several million dollars in case of any damage.

The event has been criticised by some for being something more associated with a dictatorial regime such as Russia or North Korea.

An estimated cost as high as $45m (£33.33m) has also raised eyebrows given the administration’s efforts to slash the budget of many federal departments.

Among the critics is California governor Gavin Newsom, who has been trading barbs with Mr Trump since the outbreak of riots in LA.

“And we all know, this Saturday, he’s ordering our American heroes – the United States military – forcing them to put on a vulgar display to celebrate his birthday, just as other failed dictators have done in the past,” he said.

It also comes as more than 1,500 protests against the Trump administration, organised under the slogan ‘No Kings’, have been planned across the US on Saturday.

The last time such a major display took place in the US was 1991 when tanks and troops paraded to celebrate the ousting of Saddam Hussein’s army from Kuwait.