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'We're the hottest country in the world': Trump's parade rolls through DC

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'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.

The Army’s 250th Birthday parade moves down Constitution Avenue.()

Thousands of spectators lined Constitution Avenue near the National Mall to watch the parade.

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Some held signs in protest, while others were blocked by police from the parade crowds.

trump salutes
US President Donald Trump salutes during the US Army’s 250th Birthday parade.()

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.

Soldiers stand in a row
Soldiers march during the parade.()

“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.”

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the washington monument
Military aircraft fly past the Washington Monument.()

Military aircraft fly past the Washington Monument. (Reuters: Brian Snyder)

a kid waving a us flag
A child waves a US flag.()

A child waves a US flag. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)

soldiers in vintage dress lined up
Soldiers in historical military uniforms participate in the parade.()

Soldiers in historical military uniforms participate in the parade. (Reuters: Carlos Barria)

A man in a tank
Soldiers drive a tank past the Lincoln Memorial.()

Soldiers drive a tank past the Lincoln Memorial. (Reuters: Brian Snyder)

Men in a parade
Participants in vintage uniforms participated in the parade.()

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.

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trump, melania, hegseth and others sitting at the military parade
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.()

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.

trump and melania watch the fireworks
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch the fireworks.()

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump watch the fireworks. (Reuters: Doug Mills)

fireworks explode
Fireworks explode over the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.()

Fireworks explode over the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. (Reuters: Elizabeth Frantz)

traffic moves in front of the white house
Traffic moves in front of the White House as fireworks illuminate the sky.()

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.

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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.

Crowds gather to protest, one person with a sign saying 'no kings'
A man holds a sign while people gather for the military parade.()

A man holds a sign while people gather for the military parade. (Reuters: Carlos Barria)

a woman yelling at a protest
A demonstrator shouts during the No Kings protest at Austin, Texas.()

A demonstrator shouts during the No Kings protest at Austin, Texas. (Reuters: Joel Angel Juarez)

a car on fire
A Waymo vehicle burns in the middle of an intersection in LA.()

A Waymo vehicle burns in the middle of an intersection in LA. (AFP: David Pashaee)

law enforcement in riot gear
Smoke fills the air as law enforcement officers in riot gear advance during protests in LA.()

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.

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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”.

mark ruffalo wearing a cap that says 'immigrant'
Actor Mark Ruffalo joins the ‘No Kings’ protest in New York City.()

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”.



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Washington

Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey

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Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey


WASHINGTON TWP., N.J. — Officers in Washington Township, said they finished a DoorDash food delivery after arresting the driver who had warrants out for his arrest.

Body camera video shows officers stepping in to deliver the food themselves, a move the department in southern New Jersey later shared on its Facebook page.

“I thought something happened. Oh my God, I got so scared,” said the customer when she answered the door.

The DoorDash customer, seen on police body cam video, was instantly relieved and appreciative upon learning why officers were at her door.

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“Arrested your driver, but, yeah, we delivered your food,” one of the officers said.

It turns out a Washington Township police officer stopped the DoorDash driver during routine patrols in front of a high school over the weekend.

“He made a stop on it for a violation,” said Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik.

But then, Chief Gurcsik said the officer learned the driver had warrants out for his arrest in another county.

“He made the officers aware that he had two DoorDash meals in the car that he was in the middle of delivering,” Gurcsik said.

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The officers went from cuffing the driver to ringing a doorbell to finish his delivery.

“I never heard of anything like that in the South Jersey area. It’s sort of a first for us here in Washington Township, definitely,” Gurcsik said.

Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey

It’s happened in other places, too, including in New Mexico last summer, when a motorcycle cop delivered someone’s Chick-fil-A order after arresting the driver.

“Hello, sir, got your DoorDash. Oh, thank you,” the officer said. “He’s a good kid, give him five stars. He just didn’t take care of a simple insurance ticket.”

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And officers over in Arizona made a similar arrest during a traffic stop and were seen on body camera finishing the delivery.

“Your GrubHub, still delivered your pizza,” the officer said.

“We definitely serve the community in more ways than one,” Gurcsik said.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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Holdout Democrats leave WA House support for income tax in doubt

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Holdout Democrats leave WA House support for income tax in doubt


The votes weren’t there yet late Wednesday for Democrats’ income tax bill in the Washington state House.Democratic members are withholding support for the proposed income tax on millionaires, saying they want to see if a new version of the controversial legislation, possibly due out Thursday, will satisfy their concerns.



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Bill strengthening Washington child sex abuse material laws focuses on consciousness, AI

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Bill strengthening Washington child sex abuse material laws focuses on consciousness, AI


A bill aimed at tightening Washington’s laws on child sex abuse material is headed to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk after clearing the Legislature unanimously.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said 2ESSB 5105 passed the House unanimously Tuesday night after the Senate unanimously approved it on Jan. 28, 2026.

SEE ALSO | Washington exempts clergy from reporting abuse learned in confession after settlement

Manion called the measure one of her public safety legislative priorities.

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“People who peddle in the misery of sexually abused children must be held accountable,” Manion said. “I am grateful for the work of Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Laura Harmon – both in prosecuting these cases and advocating for these legal fixes – and Senators Tina Orwall and Manka Dhingra for championing this legislation.”

Manion’s office said the current state law has gaps that can prevent prosecutors from holding offenders accountable in some cases.

Under current law, prosecutors cannot charge defendants for creating images of child sex abuse unless the child victim was conscious or knew they were being recorded.

The office also said that possessing sexually explicit fabricated (AI) images of non-identifiable minors is not considered child sex abuse material under Washington law.

The bill would update RCW 9.68A.040 to remove the requirement that a child be aware of an abusive recording. It would also update the definition of child sex abuse material to include fabricated (AI) images of non-identifiable minors.

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The legislation would also increase the statute of limitations to 10 years for depiction crimes. Manion’s office said the current statute of limitations is three years, and argued that because the images can remain online indefinitely, victims can be re-traumatized for decades.



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