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By Jesus Mesa
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President Donald Trump has issued a warning for anyone planning to protest at his birthday military parade on Saturday.
Trump told reporters, during a briefing at the White House on Tuesday, that any demonstration at the parade "will be met with very heavy force."
The president added that he hadn't heard about plans for protests at the event, but he appeared to expect some dissent on the day, adding, "these are people who hate our country."
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Why It Matters
Trump's remarks followed days of unrest sparked by federal immigration raids in Los Angeles and a controversial decision to deploy 700 U.S. Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to Southern California.
Trump defended the military deployments on Tuesday, declaring that without them, "Los Angeles would be burning right now."
What To Know
The president's comments came just hours before his scheduled departure for Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he will continue festivities commemorating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. The event also coincides with Trump's 79th birthday.
Set to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET, the military celebration will stretch six blocks down Constitution Avenue, cutting through the heart of the National Mall. Highlights include displays of vintage and modern military equipment, aerial flyovers by warplanes and Blackhawks, and musical performances by country artists such as former Army infantryman Scotty Hasting and Noah Hicks.
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The U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team and a fireworks show are also part of the day-long schedule.
While administration officials insist the gathering is solely to honor the Army's milestone, critics have pointed to the timing and spectacle as a political display aligned with Trump's image.
In a Truth Social video posted June 6, Trump described the event as "one like you've never seen before," adding, "You won't want to miss it. Just don't miss this one. It's going to be good."
National Guard in the Streets
The buildup to the parade follows days of immigration-related protests in Los Angeles and other cities, which escalated after Trump ordered the deployment of 700 U.S. Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to the city. Trump has defended the move as necessary to restore order.
"If we didn't attack this one very strongly, you'd have them all over the country," Trump said Tuesday. "If they do it [protest], they're going to be met with equal or greater force than we met right here," he added, referencing the L.A. unrest (user notes).
California leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have sharply criticized the deployments. Newsom announced legal action against the federal government, accusing Trump of violating constitutional limits.
"The absurdity of threatening the people of the United States of America with their own military is morally reprehensible," Newsom said on social media.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "If I hadn't 'SENT IN THE TROOPS' to Los Angeles the last three nights, that once beautiful and great city would be burning to the ground right now—much like the 25,000 houses that burned to the ground in L.A. due to an incompetent governor and mayor."
Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy, posted on X (formerly Twitter): "The political leaders of California and Los Angeles are siding with the insurrectionist mobs fighting to dissolve America rather than with the heroes of ICE, who are fighting to save America."
California Governor Gavin Newsom, on X: "U.S. Marines serve a valuable purpose for this country—defending democracy. They are not political pawns. The Secretary of Defense is illegally deploying them onto American streets so Trump can have a talking point at his parade this weekend."
What Happens Next
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he may use the 1807 Insurrection Act to crack down on protests if demonstrations tied to the parade or immigration enforcement get out of control. However, deploying the military under this law is rare in U.S. history and is usually reserved for extreme cases of civil unrest.
Update 06/09/25 1:27 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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