Image source, White House

President Donald Trump is arriving at a staging ground at the Ellipse where he will be viewing the parade.

The parade began 30 minutes ahead of schedule because of rain.

The president is joined by his wife Melania, his children and grandchildren. Senior cabinet officials are also on the stage.

There is a gun salute as he walks to the stage.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington DC

It's starting to trickle rain at the parade ground, which organisers had anticipated.

It's so far just a few drops, but the forecast earlier predicted heavy rains and potentially thunder, which could scupper some of the aerial displays that were planned for the parade.

Journalists in the press area are currently scrambling to cover their gear in plastic and donning raincoats.

I've taken cover under a large umbrella, prompting a parade-goer to tell me to "stop being so soft".

We're expecting the parade to start about half an hour early because of the uncertain weather. So it could begin any minute.

Meiying Wu and Kwasi Gyamfi Asiedu
Reporting from Washington DC

At the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, ordinary Americans stopped to chat with us about the military parade. Their views were mixed.

Regan Morris
Reporting from Los Angeles

Image source, BBC / Regan Morris

In downtown Los Angeles, several thousand protesters held a rally that stretched nearly a dozen city blocks.

Jose Azetcla was at the "No Kings" protest, demonstrating against President Trump's immigration policies.

"The injustices, the evil behind Trump’s adminstration - it’s not harsh, it’s evil. You don’t separate families," says Azetcla, a member of the civil rights group the Brown Berets.

The Brown Berets were founded in Los Angeles in the 1960s during the Chicano Civil Rights Movement.

At today's protest, US flags, many flown upside down, far outnumbered the Mexican flags that were seen in abundance last week in the city during anti-Trump unrest that was marred by looting, vandalism and violence.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from parade route

Image source, BBC/Bernd Debusmann Jr

I've been slowly working my way through the crowd at the parade - and one common thread I've heard so far is overwhelming patriotism and pride in the US military.

Just a few moments ago, I spoke to Myra Jolie, a naturalised US citizen who lives in Florida.

For Jolie, today's parade is about showing American strength.

"It was time for this. Time for America to flex its muscles," she tells me.

"It's time for America to show the world that we are not going to be the floor mat for everybody anymore."

Jolie is an outspoken supporter of President Trump, and believes the parade shows the "peace through strength" ethos that the president often touts.

"These are some of our little toys, but not all of them," she tells me, gesturing at a tank nearby. "When we talk about peace through strength, we really mean it."

Image source, Reuters

Travellers flying in and out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport will have a wait ahead of them as the airport and airspace near the parade are closed to civilian traffic.

The Federal Aviation Administration will suspend flights at the airport - known by its international code, DCA - from 18:00 EDT (22:00 GMT) to 21:30 EDT.

DCA is the preferred airport for locals and Congress members alike. As such, its closure will be a big inconvenience to residents.

The airport was shut for 14 hours in January after a mid-air collision between a plane and an Army Blackhawk helicopter. All 67 people aboard both aircrafts died.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from parade route

Image source, BBC/Bernd Debusmann Jr

Shortly after passing through the security gates - a bit of an arduous process - I made the long and hot walk to the media section near the parade ground.

I'm a few hundred metres from the viewing area where President Trump and other officials will be watching the parade.

At the moment, there are two M1 Abrams tanks parked in front.

This model of tank - the backbone of the Army's armoured units - will play an important role in the parade today.

Each of these has a crew of four and weighs 68 tonnes, which has led to some concern about potential damage to Washington's streets.

While the Abrams has played a role in the US Army since the 1980s, in more recent years they have been sent to Ukraine, where they have reportedly performed well in combat despite some logistical difficulties and attacks from Russian drones.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from parade route

Image source, BBC/Bernd Debusmann Jr

I arrived at the parade grounds very early - about 13:30 local time (17:30 GMT).

Already, there were several hundred people - perhaps even 1,000 - waiting to line up through an entrance on the National Mall.

Many had just come from a fairground set up between here and the Capitol, where dozens of people were still congregating around Paladin self-propelled artillery vehicles and military helicopters.

It's hot - over 80F (27C) - and extremely humid. I'm drenched in sweat, as is everyone out here, including serving soldiers, the Secret Service and the attendees.

"I'm excited," said Norma McDaniel, who came here from the nearby state of Virginia. "But I didn't think I would get this sweaty already."

Regan Morris
Reporting from Los Angeles

Image source, BBC / Regan Morris

California National Guard troops are on the streets outside federal buildings here at the "No Kings" protest in Los Angeles.

People are making obscene gestures and jeering at them. Earlier this year, the National Guard were the heroes of LA when they protected neighbourhoods from looting after terrible wildfires.

Earlier this week, President Trump deployed the National Guard to LA as violent protests erupted against immigration enforcement in the city.

California Governor Gavin Newsom sued the federal government over that move, saying they had usurped his authority as he did not ask for the deployment. The matter is still being litigated.

I’ve spoken to a few troops anonymously who say they understand the jeering and try not to take it personally.

"It's our job. We’re here for the people, even if they don’t want us here," said one.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified a "credible threat toward state lawmakers planning to attend a protest later today" at the state Capitol in Austin, they said in a statement posted to social media.

The Capitol and surrounding area were evacuated "out of an abundance of caution", officials added.

The statement did not say which protest the threatened lawmakers were planning to attend, although local media has reported that an anti-Trump "No Kings" demonstration was planned to take place at the Texas Capitol today.

The statement also did not name which lawmakers were threatened.

It comes after Democratic Minnesota state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in what that state's governor said was a "politically motivated assassination".

For latest updates on the investigation into those killings, check out our other live coverage here.

Image source, Getty Images

Good afternoon from Washington DC, the site of today's military parade.

Hours ahead of the event in the nation's capital, thousands of people have gathered in cities across the US to protest against President Donald Trump.

The demonstrations, organised by a group called "No Kings", were billed as a nationwide day of defiance against his policies.

Meanwhile, Washington DC is getting ready for a military parade celebrating the 250th birthday of the US Army. The event coincides with the president's 79th birthday.

Over the past few days, we've watched military equipment, including tanks, roll into town, with roadblocks going up along the parade route. Trump's critics have raised concerns over the cost of the event.

We've seen the day's schedule, which, parade aside, involves musical guests and an address by the president. Stay with us as we bring you all that and more as it all gets underway