Prairie State Wire

Jeanne Ives, a former state legislator and founder of Breakthrough Ideas, emphasized the significance of the parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th birthday as an expression of pride and unity. She noted its aim to encourage young Americans to take pride in the military.

"Anyone complaining about a parade to celebrate the US Army's 250th Birthday doesn't understand how important these traditions of national pride are to uniting the country and instilling pride of such in our youth," said Ives.

Ives' comments were in response to Dinesh D'Souza, who highlighted that a military parade took place in 1953 following President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inauguration. "Not even a wartime parade—WW2 ended eight years earlier. So the Left is not only re-writing history. They are trying to prevent this sort of patriotism from rising again," D'Souza wrote.

Screenshot of Jeanne Ives' June 16 post on X | X

The event, officially titled "The 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade and Celebration," included soldiers, tanks, military vehicles, and aircraft. According to CBS News, spectators gathered at the National Mall and along the route. June 14 marked not only the U.S. Army’s birthday but also President Donald J. Trump’s birthday and Flag Day. President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attended the celebration. In his post-parade speech, Trump said it was time for America to celebrate its military victories and said that Army soldiers make the country strong and proud.

On the same day, millions across the United States participated in protests nationwide. According to The New York Times report on June 14, thousands gathered in rural communities, major cities, and suburbs with photos documenting protests in several major cities. In Boston, multiple events occurred simultaneously with the "No Kings" rally coinciding with the Boston Pride parade. In Houston, protesters maintained peace as they walked through downtown before dispersing. Officials estimated nearly 100,000 people protested in Philadelphia while Los Angeles saw ongoing demonstrations against U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) raids.

Jeanne Ives previously served six years as an Illinois State Representative for House District 42 before running for governor in 2018 and later seeking election to represent Illinois’ 6th Congressional District in 2020.