Washington, D.C.:The White House has categorically denied media reports suggesting that Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, had been invited to attend a high-profile U.S. military parade held in the nation’s capital over the weekend.
“This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited,” a White House official told The Hindu, shutting down widespread speculation that Munir was among the international figures asked to participate in the event that showcased American military might.
The clarification comes after reports triggered political outrage in India, particularly following the recent Operation Sindoor. The Congress party called the alleged invite a “diplomatic setback” for India and questioned the implications of such a gesture coming so soon after a cross-border military operation.
The grand parade, a long-time vision of President Donald Trump, finally rolled out down Constitution Avenue on Saturday, coinciding with his 79th birthday. Tanks, troops, and a thunderous 21-gun salute marked the celebration, with the Commander-in-Chief seated on a special viewing stand just south of the White House.
Despite intermittent rain and cloudy skies, the event unfolded with speed and symbolism. Trump, in a brief closing address, defended the grand display, stating, “Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too.”
The president also praised U.S. military personnel, echoing a familiar campaign rally line with a slight twist:
“They fight, fight, fight — and they win, win, win.”
The phrase, now resonating more than ever, follows his dramatic return to the public stage after surviving an assassination attempt earlier this year.
While the parade itself was hailed by Trump supporters as a showcase of national strength, protests erupted in various cities across the country. Critics likened the display to authoritarian posturing, labeling it as “un-American” and “dictatorial.”
