Washington
'We're the hottest country in the world': Trump's parade rolls through DC
US President Donald Trump’s long dreamed-of military parade has rolled through the streets of downtown Washington.
It comes as demonstrators turn out in force across the country for the biggest protests since Mr Trump’s return to power.
The celebration of the US Army’s 250th anniversary coincided with Mr Trump’s 79th birthday.
Thousands of spectators lined Constitution Avenue near the National Mall to watch the parade.
Some held signs in protest, while others were blocked by police from the parade crowds.
Mr Trump looked on from an elevated viewing stand behind bulletproof glass.
He swore-in 250 army recruits before giving a short speech, where he praised US soldiers who have served.
“We’re the hottest country in the world right now,” he said.
He also issued a warning to “America’s enemies”, before exiting the podium to chants of “USA, USA” from the gathered crowds.
“If you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you,” Mr Trump said.
“Your defeat will be certain. Your demise will be final, and your downfall will be total and complete.”
Military aircraft fly past the Washington Monument. (Reuters: Brian Snyder)
A child waves a US flag. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)
Soldiers in historical military uniforms participate in the parade. (Reuters: Carlos Barria)
Soldiers drive a tank past the Lincoln Memorial. (Reuters: Brian Snyder)
Participants in vintage uniforms participated in the parade. (Reuters: Kevin Mohatt)
‘I don’t see a controversy’
The president was early in his first term of office when he raised his desire to hold a military-style parade.
It’s rare to see displays of military might like these in the US.
The last similar event was in 1991, when tanks and troops paraded through Washington to celebrate the end of the Gulf War
This parade traced the army’s history from its founding during the Revolutionary War through to modern day.
Nearly 7,000 troops and 150 vehicles, including tanks and armoured trucks, took part.
The celebrations will cost the US Army up to $US45 million ($69 million), US officials told Reuters.
This includes the parade itself as well as the cost of moving equipment and housing and feeding the troops.
Critics have called the parade a wasteful, authoritarian display of power, particularly in light of Mr Trump’s ambition to slash federal government spending.
However, Trump supporter Bryan Henrie told Reuters he did not see any problem with the parade.
“I don’t see a controversy. I will celebrate safety and stability any day over anarchy,” the 61-year-old said.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch the fireworks. (Reuters: Doug Mills)
Fireworks explode over the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. (Reuters: Elizabeth Frantz)
Traffic moves in front of the White House as fireworks illuminate the sky. (Reuters: Jonathan Ernst)
Thousands march in ‘No Kings’ protests
Earlier in the day, thousands marched in largely peaceful protests across Washington and other cities to protest Mr Trump’s policies.
Anti-Trump groups planned nearly 2,000 demonstrations across the country to coincide with the parade.
Many took place under the theme “No Kings”, arguing that no individual was above the law.
However, the protests planned for Minnesota were cancelled after a gunman assassinated a Democratic lawmaker and wounded another.
A man holds a sign while people gather for the military parade. (Reuters: Carlos Barria)
A demonstrator shouts during the No Kings protest at Austin, Texas. (Reuters: Joel Angel Juarez)
A Waymo vehicle burns in the middle of an intersection in LA. (AFP: David Pashaee)
Smoke fills the air as law enforcement officers in riot gear advance during protests in LA. (AFP: David Pashaee
Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz claimed it was a “politically motivated assassination”.
In Los Angeles, protesters faced a large contingent of Marines guarding the Edward Roybal Federal Building downtown — the site of clashes between protesters and officers earlier this week.
The crowd yelled in unison, “Shame! Shame!” and “Marines, get out of LA!”
In Manhattan, protesters carried homemade signs playing off the “No Kings” theme, including one that read “No crown for a clown”.
Actors Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo were among the tens of thousands of people who swarmed the New York City streets.
Mr Ruffalo wore a hat that read “immigrant”.
A 5-year-old boy died after being pulled from the Anacostia River in Southeast D.C. Thursday evening.
About 6:20 p.m., first responders found the boy unconscious at Anacostia Park after family members and another person retrieved him from the river, a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said.
D.C. Fire and EMS took life-saving measures, and the boy was flown to a hospital by a U.S. Park Police helicopter, but he was pronounced dead, police said.
Witnesses told News4 a man they believe was the child’s father then rushed to the hospital.
It appears to be an accidental drowning, police said.
The scene was within sight of picnic pavilions filled with people grilling food and enjoying the warm spring evening.
Police interviewed witnesses and people who tried to help.
Swimming in the Anacostia is prohibited.
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Star outside back inks three-year deal with 2029 option
Washington, D.C. (04/16/2026) – The Washington Spirit and star defender Kate Wiesner have agreed to a new contract, the club announced today. Wiesner’s new deal is a three-year contract with a 2029 club option and will replace her current contract that was set to expire at the end of this year.
“I am beyond excited to continue my time with the Spirit,” said Wiesner. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to wear this jersey with pride as we continue to forge a legacy together. DC, you are my home, and I’m honored to represent the heart of this city, on and off the field.”
Currently in her third professional season, Wiesner has proven herself as a dynamic outside back in a talented Spirit defending third. With 40 total appearances for Washington since making her debut in 2024, the defender has totaled over 2,000 minutes of action and tallied two goals, both in away wins. Wiesner has continued to provide a spark in both the attacking and defending thirds so far in 2026, helping the Spirit earn back-to-back clean sheets as well as a convincing multi-goal win on the road last week.
“Kate is exactly the type of player and person we want in our organization and we’re thrilled to keep her in DC for at least the next three seasons,” said General Manager Nathan Minion. “We’ve been able to see Kate develop into a key piece of our back line since drafting her in 2024 and have extreme confidence in her being an integral part of our long-term plan to sustainably compete for championships each year.”
At the international level, Wiesner has been called in by the U.S. Women’s National Team in each of her three years with the Spirit. First earning a call-up as a training player during her rookie year, Wiesner was named to the senior team’s roster for the first time late last season. The defender has appeared in three matches for the USWNT so far. Wiesner was also a regular of various youth national teams throughout her pre-professional playing career as well.
Originally from Monrovia, California, Wiesner attended Penn State University before being taken by the Spirit with the seventh overall pick in the club’s historic draft class in 2024. In her career with the Nittany Lions, the defender appeared in over 70 matches, tallying 24 goal contributions across over 4,500 minutes of playing time. Wiesner was named to the Big Ten’s All-Tournament Team and Third Team following her senior campaign.
The Spirit will next take the pitch at Audi Field on Friday, April 24 when the side hosts the defending Shield winner Kansas City Current. Kicking off at 8 p.m. EDT, the match will see the top two teams from last season face off. Tickets are available at WashingtonSpirit.com/tickets.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for both club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.
As it stands right now the Green Bay Packers have a pair of seventh-round picks during the 2026 NFL Draft. A potential target with one of those picks could be Anterio Thompson. The Washington defensive tackle had a 30 visit with the Packers and checks in at No. 11 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A Wisconsin native, Thompson didn’t start playing football until his senior year of high school. He started his collegiate career at the JUCO level at Iowa Western Community College. He then transferred to Iowa for the 2023 season and logged 41 snaps on special teams and blocked two punts.
Following his lone season with the Hawkeyes, he transferred to Western Michigan for the 2024 season and recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and blocked another punt.
Thompson spent his final season at the University of Washington. During his lone season with the Huskies, Thompson recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
“Anterio was a huge piece for Washington against the run,” Roman Tomashoff, the editor for UWHuskiesWire, said. “His strength and athleticism in the middle of the defense helped the Huskies take a massive step forward in run defense, as they improved to No. 12 in the nation, allowing just 100.08 yards per game.”
Thompson is hard to dig out for one player. It usually takes multiple offensive linemen to move him off his spot. He uses a lower center of gravity to maintain proper leverage at the point of attack. He utilizes his first-step quickness to slither into gaps and disrupt run lanes. His motor is always running, and he has the lateral quickness and burst to chase down ball carriers.
“Thompson anchors very well,” Tomashoff said. “He plays with great upper body strength to help him shed blocks and redirect ball carriers, even if he wasn’t the one making the tackle.”
Thompson is still developing a pass rush plan, which isn’t surprising for a player as green as he is. Where he wins as a pass rusher is with his explosive first step (1.74 10-yard split) and ability to convert speed to power. Over the past two seasons, he recorded 33 pressures.
“His pass rushing ability came on throughout the season, as his natural athleticism and improved technique shined through,” Tomashoff said. “He even discussed attempting to pursue an extra year of eligibility to continue refining his technique, so his pass rushing is still a little ways off, but he knows exactly where he needs to improve to take his next step.”
Fit with the Packers
The Packers signed veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave in free agency. Even with the addition of Hargrave, the Packers still need to add one or two defensive tackles in the upcoming draft.
Thompson’s production won’t wow anybody, and he’ll also turn 24 in October. Those two things could keep him from getting drafted.
However, he has active traits, and the flashes on tape are there. Flip on the Michigan game from this past season and you see a player capable of carving out a role in a rotation.
The Wisconsin native has a unique blend of quickness and power to at least peak teams’ interest late on Day 3. He has the strength to hold the point of attack and be a factor against the run. As a pass rusher, he has the tools to develop into a factor and it will be up to a team to help him develop a pass rush plan.
“He has all the physical tools to at the very least be a valuable special teams player, if not a rotational piece along the interior,” Tomashoff said. “He’s also spent a lot of time talking about the mental journey that he’s taken to become more coachable throughout his college career, and the strides he’s made in that department can’t be overlooked.”
With a pair of seventh-round picks at his disposal, Gutekunst could roll the dice on Thompson’s athleticism as he looks to find another Day 3 gem.
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