This past weekend was momentous for the nation. Americans celebrated the 250th birthday of our venerable United States Army, and its storied history while millions of malcontents held hundreds of “No Kings” protests around the country. The incredible juxtaposition of winners versus whiners could not be more demonstrative and poignant.

Tens of thousands of patriotic Americans descended on the mall in Washington to enjoy and commemorate the inspiring 250-year record of our Army. Established more than a year before the republic, the U.S. Army was integral to procuring our independence and preserving our freedom through numerous conflicts and wars over two and half centuries. As Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth aptly stated, “Without 1775, there would be no 1776.”

Leftists decried the Army’s 250th birthday celebration as nothing more than a grotesque militaristic parade to worship President Trump, the dictator, but they were patently wrong. There was a wonderful military parade, but it was so much more. The U.S. Army retold their vibrant inspiring history through every era and war with soaring prose, emotional testimonials, and impressive displays of military might. It was truly heartening and uplifting.

All that attended were genuinely proud of our noble legacy and to be Americans. The multitudes on the mall were calm, polite, and elated. Moreover, it was an incredibly diverse crowd, whose faces represented every creed, ethnicity, and race. Reflecting the organic diversity of a free people, there was no confrontation or even litter, only harmony. They were united in common cause to celebrate the heroes that made American freedom possible for all Americans.

Trying to bill the Army’s 250th birthday parade as dark and oppressive, the legacy media was flummoxed; they admitted the atmosphere was cheerful and hopeful, but they still could not comprehend it. Their dilemma is they cannot accept that America despite its flaws is a perennial force for good, but Americans of all walks of life intrinsically understand American exceptionalism.

Contrast the gathering of wholesome patriots with the weird perverts that held their nonsensical “No Kings” demonstrations. Highly organized and funded by nefarious billionaires and questionable non-profit organizations, the “No Kings” events were extremely progressive and very white. The lack of diversity among the anarchists and agitators protesting was striking. It looked like some bad B movie, revenge of the hippies.

The “No Kings” protests certainly turned-out notable numbers, but how many were paid? Mostly recycled ANTIFA protesters, the events were remarkably unimaginative. Protesters screamed that Trump is dictator and made himself a king, but they offered no proof. They claim he is abusing his power, but Trump has done no more that reverse the executive orders that Biden and Obama declared. Further, he constantly challenges Congress to do their jobs and codify the changes voters demanded in the 2024 election. Not the stuff of kings.

If President Trump was truly a dictator, he would not be working with Congress to implement change, he would have thwarted the “No Kings” demonstrations, and they would have been imprisoned. The fact those opposition protests were allowed is testament that our democratic process is alive and thriving. It’s actually healthy that we know who the fools are.

The “No Kings” demonstrations were the epitome of irony. They claim to oppose tyranny, but these are the same people that accepted and advanced cold cruel tyranny during the ridiculous COVID crisis. They demanded Americans wear masks, stand six feet part, no family gatherings over ten, and get unproven vaccines or get fired. They forced small businesses to close and denied houses of worship the right to assemble even outside.

These insane people embrace tyranny because tyranny and anarchy are just two sides of the same coin. If you heard any interviews of “No Kings” protesters, they are plain crazy—none made any sense. They are convinced Trump is bad, but cannot articulate how he is bad. They hate him because they hate America. It’s not so much the country, but they loathe the concept of individual freedom that gives you liberty but also requires you to exercise responsibility for yourself. They want permissive liberty to indulge their vices, but they also want the government to care for them. Slaves to sin, they seek some benevolent master to facilitate a comfortable bondage.

The leftist “No Kings” crowd held their day of protests, but for most Americans Independence Day is our no king’s day. We threw off the tyranny of Britain’s King George III and never looked back. America has never had king, but Americans have one true King. The true king is Jesus Christ because he liberated us from the enslavement of sin and set us free.

Americans know it and live it. We are only free because we each have God-given rights that no man or government can deny, and that is the foundation of American freedom. The “No Kings” mob directs their ire at Trump, but they are really rebelling against God, thinking each man knows better in his own eyes. The implicit danger therein is government can deprive your rights when you are ruled by men or your urges. Thankfully, most Americans know we are only free with fealty to God, and that’s what makes America great.

The multitudes of Americans celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday identify with winners. The “No Kings” malcontents are just whiners wondering why they cannot comprehend the light.

“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5).

Pete Riehm is a Navy Veteran, conservative activist, and columnist in south Alabama. Email him at peteriehm@bellsouth.net or read all his columns at http://www.renewamerica.com/.