# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "All hail the king" by Rafia Zakaria, Published in Dawn on June 14th, 2025:* The article examines *President Donald Trump's* controversial *$45-million military parade* scheduled for *Saturday* in *Washington, D.C.*, coinciding with the *250th anniversary of the US Army* and *Trump's 79th birthday*. The author argues that while *military parades* are common worldwide to create *martial theatre* and nationalistic feelings, the *US* has historically avoided such displays since the *Cold War*, instead projecting power through actual *wars and occupations* rather than parades. The timing of Trump's parade is seen as *portentous*, with even *Republicans* recognizing the *rancid odour* of a *wannabe authoritarian* staging a military spectacle on his birthday, giving off vibes of *dictatorship* and *Dear Leader* mentality. The situation worsens with the preceding week's events in *Los Angeles*, where the *Trump administration* gleefully cracked down on *protesters* opposing *deportation raids* by *ICE officers*. When *angry demonstrators* confronted *masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials* armed with *military equipment*, violence erupted with businesses and cars burned. The administration used this to reiterate that all *migrants* are criminals, with *Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem* calling *Los Angeles* a *"city of criminals"*. Trump's *long-standing enmity* with *California Governor Gavin Newsom* led him to call out the *National Guard* to assist *ICE officials* against the state's wishes, seen as overreach against a *Democratic state* with majority *racial minorities*. Despite protests being *quelled* and restricted to a couple of blocks, Trump insisted on deploying the *Marines* in *California*. The author emphasizes the consequences of such moves for Americans less tolerant of *authoritarian exercises* - *protest* is a *First Amendment* protected right, calling *Marines* (trained to kill) against *unarmed protesters* represents overkill, and the cost is poor use of money. Over *1,600 protests* are expected against Trump's military parade, with *Saturday* dubbed *'No Kings Day'*, alluding to Trump's belief that he is *King of America*. His constant allusions to *contesting elections for a third term* and *infatuation with Middle Eastern kings* reinforce this image. Polls show his *approval ratings* plunged to an *80-year low*, losing public confidence in *immigration handling* through *travel bans*, *ICE raids*, *border harassment*, and *rounding up migrants*. The parade is seen as using *presidential power* to stage a spectacle solely to nourish the ego of a man turning *79*. The poorly thought-out move and price tag may mark the beginning of the end of Trump's *honeymoon period*, as *six months* into his presidency, Americans haven't seen promised *economic gains* while receiving unwanted policies. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Trump's $45-million military parade* on his *79th birthday* coincides with *US Army's 250th anniversary* but resembles *authoritarian dictatorship* tactics. Following violent *Los Angeles protests* against *ICE deportation raids*, Trump deployed *National Guard* and *Marines* against *California's* wishes. Over *1,600 protests* planned for *'No Kings Day'* as Trump's *approval ratings* hit *80-year lows*. The spectacle may end his *honeymoon period* after *six months* without promised *economic gains*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Cancel Military Parade* Immediately cancel the *$45-million military parade* to avoid authoritarian optics and save taxpayer money. ## *2. Respect State Rights* Withdraw *National Guard* and *Marines* from *California* and respect state sovereignty over *immigration enforcement*. ## *3. Protect First Amendment* Ensure *peaceful protest* rights are protected and avoid military deployment against *unarmed demonstrators*. ## *4. Focus on Economic Promises* Redirect resources from *military spectacles* to delivering promised *economic gains* for Americans. ## *5. Improve Immigration Policy* Reform *ICE raids*, *travel bans*, and *border harassment* to restore public confidence in *immigration handling*. ## *6. Respect Constitutional Limits* Abandon talks of *third-term elections* and respect *constitutional term limits* for presidency. ## *7. Reduce Authoritarian Rhetoric* Stop *Dear Leader* and *king-like* behavior that alienates *American democratic values*. ## *8. Address Public Concerns* Listen to the *1,600 planned protests* and address legitimate concerns about *authoritarian overreach*. ## *9. Restore Diplomatic Approach* Return to America's post-*Cold War* role as *world's diplomat* rather than military showmanship. ## *10. Rebuild Public Trust* Work to improve *80-year low approval ratings* through genuine policy reforms and democratic governance. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Military parade* costs *$45 million* and includes *6,600 soldiers*. - Parade coincides with *250th anniversary of US Army* and *Trump's 79th birthday*. - Over *1,600 protests* expected against the military parade. - Trump's *approval ratings* plunged to an *80-year low*. - Trump is *six months* into his presidency. - Saturday dubbed *'No Kings Day'*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *US military budget* is *$816 billion* annually (*Pentagon*, 2024). - *California* has *39 million* residents, *38%* Hispanic (*US Census*, 2024). - *ICE* conducted *142,000 arrests* in fiscal year 2024 (*DHS*, 2024). - *Los Angeles* population is *3.9 million* (*City of LA*, 2024). - *First Amendment* protects *peaceful assembly* since *1791* (*US Constitution*). - *Marines* have *186,000 active personnel* (*USMC*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *How much does Trump's military parade cost?* A. $35 million B. $40 million *C. $45 million* D. $50 million ### 2. *How many soldiers will participate in the parade?* A. 5,600 *B. 6,600* C. 7,600 D. 8,600 ### 3. *What is Saturday being dubbed as by protesters?* A. No War Day *B. No Kings Day* C. No Trump Day D. No Parade Day ### 4. *How many protests are expected against the parade?* A. Over 1,400 B. Over 1,500 *C. Over 1,600* D. Over 1,700 ### 5. *What anniversary coincides with the parade?* A. 240th US Army anniversary *B. 250th US Army anniversary* C. 260th US Army anniversary D. 270th US Army anniversary # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Martial* (فوجی) – Related to war or military affairs 2. *Spectacle* (تماشا) – Public display or show 3. *Portentous* (بدشگون) – Giving warning of future events 4. *Confluence* (سنگم) – Coming together or meeting 5. *Rancid* (بدبودار) – Having unpleasant smell or quality 6. *Wannabe* (ہونے کا خواہشمند) – Person who wants to be something 7. *Authoritarian* (آمرانہ) – Favoring strict obedience to authority 8. *Stench* (بدبو) – Strong unpleasant smell 9. *Gleefully* (خوشی سے) – With great delight 10. *Thwarting* (ناکام بنانا) – Preventing success of plans 11. *Chomping* (کاٹنا) – Biting eagerly 12. *Enmity* (دشمنی) – State of being enemies 13. *Contempt* (حقارت) – Feeling of disrespect 14. *Overreach* (حد سے تجاوز) – Going beyond proper limits 15. *Quelled* (دبایا) – Suppressed or calmed 16. *Overkill* (حد سے زیادہ) – Excessive use of force 17. *Predilection* (رجحان) – Preference or liking 18. *Infatuation* (عشق) – Intense but short-lived passion 19. *Ghastly* (خوفناک) – Extremely unpleasant 20. *Honeymoon period* (شہد کا مہینہ) – Initial period of goodwill 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *All hail the king* *Rafia Zakaria* *5 - 6 minutes* MILITARY parades are not uncommon in many parts of the world. Lines of tanks, contingents of marching soldiers, missiles, along with fighter jets and helicopters flying overhead, create just the sort of martial theatre that makes watching crowds feel nationalistic and strong. When the fates of leaders and their armies rely on such a spectacle, it follows that they are not infrequent. This is not the case in the US, at least not until now. Since the end of the Cold War, America has projected itself as the world's diplomat. Even as it has waged wars all over the world, the domestic population remains largely disconnected from the military and its hardware. It may also be the case that when you know you are the superpower and have the deadliest weapons in the world, you need not show them off. It would not be incorrect to say that American projections of power have not been parades but actual decades of wars and occupations. This is about to change. On Saturday, a military parade is supposed to take place in Washington, D.C. The timing is portentous; it is the 250th anniversary of the US Army. It is also American President Donald Trump's birthday. The confluence may have made it possible for Trump to stage the $45-million parade that will include 6,600 soldiers. Even Republicans have smelled the rancid odour coming from a wannabe authoritarian holding a military parade on his birthday. To use the lingo of Gen Z, it's giving dictatorship, it's giving Dear Leader, it's giving a man who thinks he is king. If the stench of the parade was not terrible enough, the timing adds to the mess. For the entire preceding week, the Trump administration almost gleefully cracked down on protesters in Los Angeles, who have been thwarting deportation raids by ICE officers. In the first few days of the protests, angry demonstrators confronted by masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials armed with military equipment grew violent and burned some businesses and cars. The administration, which has been chomping at the bit to have a confrontation of just this sort; began to reiterate its line about all migrants being criminals and, in the words of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Los Angeles itself being a "city of criminals". Over 1,600 protests are expected against Trump's military parade. To drive home this point, Trump who has a long-standing enmity with California Governor Gavin Newsom, decided to call out the National Guard to assist ICE officials in California against the state's wishes. The move, no doubt motivated by Trump's contempt for California (a Democratic state), where the majority are racial minorities, was seen as overreach. Then, even though the protests had been quelled and were restricted to a couple of blocks in a city of millions, Trump insisted on deploying the Marines in California. It is important to understand the consequence of such a move. While those who have lived under authoritarian regimes may be attracted to Trump and his strongman moves, the American public is less tolerant of such exercises. First, protest is a protected right under the First Amendment. Second, the idea that the Marines, a force trained to kill, would be called out against unarmed protesters is the sort of overkill that Trump loves and everyone else detests. Finally, the cost itself — Americans point out that the parade is simply not good use of money. Over 1,600 protests are expected to take place in the US against Trump's military parade. Saturday has been dubbed 'No Kings Day', alluding to Trump's predilection for believing that he is indeed the King of the United States of America. His constant allusions to contesting elections for a third term and his infatuation with the kings he encounters in the Middle East do not help in this regard. Even those who do not protest are beginning to dislike him. Polls show that his appro­val ratings plunged to an 80-year-low recently. Trump has also lost public confidence in his handling of immigration as the travel bans, ICE raids, border harassment and general rounding up of anyone thought to be a migrant have unfolded. Saturday's parade is seen as the use of presidential power to stage a spectacle whose only real purpose is to nourish the ego of a man who will turn 79 on that day. No one is impressed. The fact that he has decided to call out the military in Los Angeles, forcing troops trained to kill to crack down on unarmed protesters, creates a ghastly image of the downfall of America that is visible to all but Trump. The poorly thought-out move, and the price tag attached, may well be the beginning of the end of Trump's honeymoon period. Six months into his presidency, Americans have not seen the economic gains that he promised, while the things he is delivering on are ones that no one wants. The writer is an attorney teaching constitutional law and political philosophy. [email protected] Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2025