US Army 250th anniversary parade taking place in Washington – watch live

A rare military parade marking the US Army’s 250th anniversary – and President Trump’s 79th birthday – is taking place in Washington DC.

You can watch the event in the livestream above.

President Trump said it was going to be a “big day” and admitted: “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 estimated around 200,000 people could turn out to see around 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 aircraft.

However, it appears far fewer are there – possibly due to the poor weather.

Mr Trump is watching alongside the first lady and defence secretary as troops and military hardware file past – accompanied at times by up tempo rock music.

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

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

President Trump warned any protesters who interfered with proceedings would “be met with very big force”.

Military parachutists from the Golden Knights swooping in at the start of the programme, and some soldiers are parading in historic uniforms, complete with horses and wagons.

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

President Trump stood and saluted many of the passing soldiers – and even personally swore in some re-enlisted troops.

The US leader 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 Washington’s streets to protect the tarmac against the heaviest tanks – the 60-ton M1 Abrams.

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

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.

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.

The show of military might 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.

Los Angeles was the scene of one demonstration, with police firing tear gas to disperse people after the formal protest ended, and US Marines stationed outside the city’s federal building.

Tension is high in America’s second-biggest city after recent raids by immigration officers sparked unrest this week.

Other large demos happened in cities including San Diego, Atlanta, Denver and Chicago.

‘No Kings’ organisers claimed 200,000 had turned out in New York alone – and millions across the country.

The name of the protests comes from the accusation President Trump acts more like an authoritarian monarch than a democratically elected head of state.