Military parades are a more common sight in capitals like Moscow and Pyongyang than Washington, but Trump has openly expressed his wishes for one since his first term. Source: SIPA USA / Kenny Holston

The parade, which falls on Trump’s 79th birthday, kicked off earlier than expected with thunderstorms forecast in the Washington area.

Critics have called the parade an authoritarian display of power that is wasteful, especially given Trump has said he wants to slash costs throughout the federal government.

Nationwide ‘No Kings’ protests

Earlier in the day, thousands marched in Washington and in other cities in protest of Trump’s policies. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, and marked the largest outpouring of opposition to Trump’s presidency since he returned to power in January.

Thousands of New Yorkers marched in opposition of Donald Trump’s presidency on the day of the Washington military parade honouring the US Army’s 250th anniversary as well as the president’s 79th birthday. Source: Getty / Alex Kent

In Los Angeles, however, police, some on horseback, used flash-bang grenades and tear gas to push back a crowd of protesters around the federal building that has been a focus of much of the demonstrations.

Anti-Trump groups planned nearly 2,000 demonstrations across the country to coincide with the parade. Many took place under the theme “No Kings,” asserting that no individual is above the law.