President Donald Trump has already eroded many of the U.S.'s democratic safeguards and traditions in the initial months of his second term.

The rehearsal for the military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States has gone viral on social media for its comparisons to other authoritarian regimes.

The last time the United States held a national military parade was in June 1991, timed to welcome returning veterans of the 100-day Persian Gulf War.

As Washington prepares to celebrate the 250th birthday of the Army on Saturday, lawmakers are speaking out on what could be an astronomical cost for the parade.

Dozens of tanks and heavy military vehicles have made their way into the District to stage ahead of Saturday's military parade, marking the United States Army's 250th birthday, also falling on Flag Day and President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.

Trump's effort to use the military to quell protests received pushback for his staff during his first administration. Now he's trying again.