live from washington, this is bbc news. fresh iranian strikes hit tel aviv and jerusalem, as the israeli military says it hits iran launches another barrage of retaliatory strikes against israel. a manhunt is underway in minnesota for a suspect in the "politically motivated assassination" of a state lawmaker. and washington gears up for a rare military parade to celebrate the army's 250th birthday. hello. i am helena humphrey. very good to have you with us.

donald trump is overseeing a large military parade in washington, the first in decades in the us capital. as you can see, currently taking to the stage right now, do swear the trypsin. let's listen to what he has to say. to the united states army, and have a great life. thank you very much. have a great life. thank you. thank you. the multi-million dollar event, marking the 250th anniversary of the us army, coincides with the president's birthday. mr trump says the parade honours the us military's role in major historical victories and celebrate, as well, american power.

the army says the event could cost up to $45 million and has been criticised by some as a vanity project and poor use of taxpayers' money. the parade began 30 minutes ahead of schedule because of rain. it involve about 6000 soldiers and was to include flyovers and fireworks. our north america correspondent, nomia iqbal, is at the mall. very good to have you with us, nomia. you have been there throughout the course of the parade. bring us up-to-date with the latest. what have you been seeing so far? helena, it has been quite the spectacle and the people who have turned out here, there are probably a few thousand, not the 200,000 that i think estimated by the organisers. it has been a show of military force. you have seen soldiers walked down the

mall from different errors, the revolutionary war, world war i, world war ii, dressed in the uniform of that time. there has also been some modern warfare shown as well, a few moments ago, soldiers walking with what looks like robo-dogs as well. and donald trump gave that speech a few moments ago. for people here, it is great, it is an opportunity to flex military power, but it is controversial, you know, as you are outlining, there, for a couple of reasons - firstly, the us doesn't do this. the last time was in 1991, to mark the end of a gulf war, on a smaller scale. but many republicans have said that america is a superpower, and we don't need to do this like other countries have to do it, and the huge cost of it as well. nomia, you also mentioned that donald trump has given initial remarks in terms of the

allegiance and the oath in regards to the troops. we expect to hear from him more extensively. what do we expect his messaging with regards to this parade to be? we know that president trump loves the military parade. and i think he sees the military and his command of it as a sign of his own strength. and we have this play out on the east coast was also on the west coast, with he has been using the military, sending them into these protests that have sprung up to protest his immigration policies, despite the governor's wishes. and he is accused of politicising the army. in terms of his speech, the white house says this is about celebrating the army, and certainly i think the army sees this event as a recruitment opportunity. lots of people here are really proud to be here. donald trump, i think i

will use this as an opportunity to flex military might, to show the world what america can do. but to his critics, this is also him flexing military power domestically, and that is disturbing for a lot of people. we are seeing many protests pop-up around the country, particularly in philadelphia, by an organisation called no kings they say is a protest of - against what they describe as donald trump's authoritarian tendencies and corruption, they say, that is going on in his government. nomia, you are touching on some of the pride that people feel in the united states with regards to the military. also for veterans in this country and their contribution to the armed forces, they don't always feel that they are looked after in a way that is commensurate to the service. see how this just a position, the sense that on one hand this is celebrating the military, but, as she started

to touch on, some concerns, for example, over things such as the level of cost over all of this? it is going to cost $45 million, but it could cost way more than that because the streets of washington, dc, and you know because we both live here, they are not made for tank or armoured vehicles, at all, and there is an expectation some strings could be chewed up and it will cost more money. and many veterans are against donald trump, and during the election campaign trail, they protested against it. they believe this is a vanity project and the people really get about the army, put money into services to help veterans - many of them, i see myself, have ended up homeless on the streets of dc. and we have seen the controversial work of doge, set up by donald trump as a former adviser elon musk, which had cuts - i hope

you can hear me, as it is getting louder - cuts to support for veterans, so there is the controversy there that this is just a vanity project that doesn't really celebrate the army in the way it should. nomia iqbal there on the mall in washington. good to catch up with you as you have been watching that parade. let's take a look at the situation on the ground in los angeles right now, and cross over there and see if we consider low pictures, because this is the scene on the streets of los angeles, and as you can see, it does appear to be that there are some scenes between protesters who have come out and those on the other side, and we know that, of course, the ongoing protests have been - been carried out since sunday in los angeles, now, now marking a week, and across the country, at the same time as this parade, there has been the

no kings protests, which have been taking place across the country. in opposition to very military parade. looking at the low pictures you can see at that particular intersection at downtown los angeles, it appears there is a substance that has been thrown - either a gas canister, as the scenes appear to be becoming increasingly tense after what we have seen in los angeles for almost a week now. you will remember all of this originally happened with regards to the emigrations customs enforcement agency, or ice raids, being carried out in regards to immigration and deportation. a large number of people are coming out onto the streets in opposition, essentially, with the deployment of the national guard to los angeles in defiance of the request and the wishes of the governor of

california, gavin newsom. subsequently, a large number of marines that were also deployed to los angeles this past week as well. all of that coinciding with these no kings protests which we have seen over the 2000 such events which have been slated across the country. and here we can see right now washington, of course, as we wait for donald trump to take to the podium. that split screen of events that are taking place across the nation. i want to bring in barbara starr, a senior fellow at the university of southern california and a long-time correspondent for cnn, covering the pentagon. just to begin with, what you make of that. we are now looking at this split screen of the events going on across the country. on one hand, we have what donald trump says is a celebration of 250 years of the founding of the military in this country, then

the potus, which continue. as long as they remain peaceful and non-violent, americans have, of course, the right to take to the streets in protest peacefully, guaranteed in the constitution, and that is what young troops when they raise their right hand and take their owes, they swear, as a member of the us military, to defend the constitution. so it is really remarkable that that is what it is all supposed to be about. liberty was to see violence or unrest, so hopefully this will all make some effort to stay calm in los angeles, and some of these other large protests around the country. for the president, i think is - is challenges to decide what he wants to do in this speech. does he want to be partisan political, as he often is? it would perhaps be surprising if he wasn't in this

speech. or does he want to strike a tone of - of patriotism, of what this is supposed to be about, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the us army, which, by all accounts, was before the declaration of independence - george washington's continental army to fight the british. you know, you could make a good case that the continental army back in the day was a force of insurgents. fighting colonial masters. as i look at these pictures, i'm just struck by the history that we are seeing, and a dichotomy. absolutely it is worth reminding, as you pointed out, 250 years ago, this is one year precisely before the declaration of independence, george washington, at the time, becoming the first commander-in-chief, then, the military, and donald trump has been saying that this is about

celebrating that, the 250th anniversary. but, barbara, perhaps the objects would have become increasingly difficult for the president this week, not least with the deployment, for example, of the marines, controversially, to los angeles, then on top of that, the fact that what we're seeing in iran and israel, for example, also calls into question the role of the united states in wars... right. in the middle east. with the us now get involved in yet another groundwater in the east after extricating itself from iraq and afghanistan? you could make a sensible case that they already are. the israelis have utilised us ground-based missiles to counter the incoming iranian missiles. if that continues, the us is by any measure in that ground conflict. they will be watching very carefully to ensure that iranian forces don't - aren't

able to make a retaliatory attack against us troops or interest in the region. and that is what everyone will have to worry about in the coming days. and i think we can just take a look at some pictures now come alive pictures, with regards to minnesota, and we can turn to the situation there on the ground. not live pictures, but, of course, as we were discussing, the various events that are confronting the united states and not least of because the country waking up to the news that ahead of this military parade that was planned, we had the news that there had been lawmakers who had been targeted in minnesota, and to bring you an update on that one, the fbi as long as a man-hunt and offered $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of a man suspected of killing a top lawmaker. the suspect is 57-year-old vance

luther boelter, still a large after carrying out the attack according to lawmakers, accused of impersonating a lease officer. officials raided his home in minneapolis, towing his car, and speaking to his flat-mates. he's accused of killing former speaker of the minnesota house, melissa hortman along with her husband, early saturday morning. he's also suspected of shooting state senator john hoffman, and his wife, in a connected incident. the two survived. governor walz said he is optimistic for their recovery. abou amara served as adviser to former minnesota house speaker paul thissen. he knew melissa hortman for 15 years and told me what he thinks her legacy will be. i think she will go down as the most effective speaker of the house in minnesota history. i believe that because over the last 3- six years or so, minnesota has fundamentally transformed itself in terms of investments, you know? we have

universal pre-k or school for kids, they go to school and they have lunch and i fed, and we have an entire infrastructure now as a result of her leadership as the speaker. so i think with the history books are written, they will say that melissa hautman is the best speaker of the house in minnesota history. -- hortman. let's go over to medaria arradondo,fomer minneapolis police chief. thank you for being with minnesota. i would like to get your thoughts on what we saw unfold today. thank you for having me. certainly the people of minnesota are mourning the loss of two absolutely fine state representative, melissa hortman and her husband and they are praying for a full recovery for senator and his wife who were tragically shot

after resident blue in the early hours of this morning. governor walz operated the emergency centre early this morning. the investigation is involving local, state, county and federal assets. the manhunt is still under way and we are looking for the suspect who you have identified on your programme here as lance boelter, -- vance boelter, he is obviously familiar with the twin cities area and is considered armed and dangerous at this point. there are a lot of resources and law-enforcement assets, they are focused on trying to bring him into custody and anyone who may be associated with assisting him at this time. there is also uninvestigated robust team collecting forensic

evidence, video, camera footage and working on that piece as well and then, of course, reaching out to make sure if, in fact, he is still in the twin cities area that they have resources focused on that but also earlier today we received information from the bureau that he tried to reach out to his roommate and left a message for them. what we know right now based on current information is that he is still on the move and hope that he can be brought into custody here very soon. there are also reports that there was an extensive list of targets found. will police and presumably they will, they will be looking at that in terms of trying to understand the motive here. absolutely. when he was at his second location which, tragically, was the political

assassination killing, as governor walz described in our community called brooklyn park, he engaged officers with gunfire and as he fled the vehicle he was using, the unmarked suv that looked like a police vehicle, inside that vehicle were many weapons, firearms and ammunition and a manifesto that you just spoke about. that was critical information, critical intelligence information that both the authorities here did their due diligence to make sure that any persons, facilities listed on that manifesto had direct immediate security provided for them and so that is ongoing. that was critically important that those offices there were able to engage with the suspect but also, of course, obtain the

vehicle and so much evidence, it was part of them obtaining that vehicle he was last seen driving in. but at least we know now he is still on the move and if there is anybody assisting him, the fbi has also listed a $50,000 reward for any information leading to his arrest and so it is an active scene and with an active investigation going on in the hope here is that the law-enforcement can bring a resolution to this and apprehend the suspect. it must be a scary time for the community. you mention security there for those people on the list but do you think it calls into question whether security around state lawmakers, for example, needs to be heightened? i wonder what your assessment as to the levels of political polarisation that you are seeing in your state and the risks that that now poses. that is a great question and i

believe there is a heightened level of threats against lawmakers not only in minnesota but unfortunately across america and i do believe that whether they are state capital security personnel, they are looking into that and the us capitol police are doing their job as well as the local law-enforcement. this is certainly going to create a heightened level of security attention. earlier today i know that the minneapolis mayor directed his police department to provide extra security to any lawmakers who reside within the city of minneapolis. so, yes, they will continue to receive this information and this intelligence and continue to do all they can to keep lawmakers here in minnesota and across the country save. thank you for being with us. let's cross back over to the stage

they were donald trump is delivering remarks. thank you very much. the army keeps us free, you make us strong and, tonight, you have made all americans very proud. they are watching from all over the world, actually, and they are all very proud. every other country celebrates their victories, it is about time america did as well. that is what we're doing tonight. and watching this magnificent display, our souls are filled with gratitude for every generation of warriors who have worn the uniform, all the way back to the very beginning. so to every veteran across our land, and right here in our nation 's capital including six recipients of the congressional medal of honour, we love you and we honour you and we salute your noble service to our flag

and to our country. as we celebrate tonight we also think of the hundreds of thousands of army soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation and selflessly laid down their lives in every war from the revolution to the war on terror to the gold star families with us today, the courage of your heroes is the bedrock upon which alan tyr nation stands. we thank you, yes, we thank you. today we commemorate an event that did not just change american history but changed the history of the entire world with the creation of america's army on june 14 1775. the freedom that has soared. those first army patriots in the american revolution fought against a

fearsome enemy, and impossible odds but they were armed with a righteous cause. they were led by the indomitable commander, a truly great man, general george washington and they were united by an eternal creed. their motto was a victory or death. over the past two and a half centuries our warriors have shown unrivalled valour on fields of battle around the globe with frostbitten feet and bloodied fists they have marched into the flames of fury of combat, charged up mountains, stormed beaches, waded through torrents of gunfire and lept into skies thick with smoke and shrapnel. the us army has driven straight into the heart of sinister empires, crushed the ambitions of evil tyrants beneath the threads of american tanks it

has done so well and done so much and sent the devil himself flying into full retreat. time and again america's enemies have learned that if you threaten the american people, our soldiers are coming for you stop your defeat will be certain and your demise will be final and your downfall will be total and complete. because our soldiers never give up, never surrender and never ever quit. they fight, fight, fight and they win, win, win. cheering and applause. and that is why no institution in history has entered more names into the roster of american heroes than the us army. the congressional medal of honour, more than anyone or anything. there was mad anthony wayne, asked by

george washington to lead a daring midnight raid up the cliffs of stony point with unloaded muskets and only their bayonets to fight the redcoats, mad anthony replied issue the order, sir and i will storm into hell for you. then there was the civil war general john course, shot in the face in combat. he fired off a message to his commander, i am short a cheekbone and one year but i am able to whip the hell out of all of them. he stayed on the front lines, it seemed, for ever. in world war ii there was the great abrams, besieged on all sides by the nazis at the battle of the bulge. boldly he proclaimed that they have surrounded again, the poor

busted is. this is the fighting spirit and unyielding force of the us army. it has never changed and it will never ever change because there is no earthly force more powerful than the brave heart of us infantry man or an army radio, paratrooper or green beret. they are the best and they are the finest. from bunker hill to san juan hill, from geddes bird to what a canal, york town to the trenches of the argonne and the mountains of afghanistan, the army has forged a legacy of unmatched courage, untold sacrifice and undying glory as soldiers have poured out their blood by the bucketful on missionary ridge and heartbreak ridge, on the sands of sicily, normandy and the philippines

and on the dusty streets of baghdad and for lou thanks to their extraordinary service, 250 years later america stands tall, america stands proud and america stands free with the hottest country in the world right now in our country will soon be greater and stronger than ever before. down through history we have been blessed beyond words by this legion of army warriors and patriots, heroes and legends and tonight... unwavering certainty that in the years of head and in every generation hence whenever duty calls and whatever danger comes, the american soldier will be there. no matter the risk, no matter

the obstacles our warriors will charge into battle and they will plunge into the crucible of fire and they will seize the crown of victory because the united states of america will always have the grace of almighty god and the fire and will of the united states army. congratulations to everybody, we love our country, we have never done better. thank you, god bless you, god bless the army and god bless america. this cheering and applause. and now i would like to ask our great first lady to join me at the podium. thank you very much, everybody. cheering and applause. mr president on

behalf of the united states army, the i would like to present to you this flag which was flown over our nation 's capital here on the arm is 250th birthday celebration. cheering and applause. cheering and applause. donald trump taking to the stage at that military parade, celebrating 250 years since the

founding of the american armed forces. in that message he essentially said that america should take this opportunity, he said, to celebrate its victory, saying that other countries around the world had done so, and now was united states' opportunity to do so, essentially saying that it had been showing away from doing so too long. we can cross over to our north american correspondent nomia iqbal, standing by on the malls listening to that very speech from the president. nomia, just first, what are your thoughts on the message from the president? an interesting speech. president trump, i think, you can always tell when he is reading from an autocue, when he is actually presenting his own thoughts. he very much went through the of the army. he sounded low