Thousands of protesters are expected to hit the streets this weekend in cities across the country, demonstrating against the Trump administration and the president’s immigration policies.
Tempers have flared in Washington over the administration’s immigration raids, as demonstrations against Immigration and Customs (ICE) have spread to multiple cities.
The weekend protests are poised to collide with images of Trump presiding over Saturday’s military parade in the nation’s capital.
Helicopters, war planes and tanks will roll through the streets of Washington, as Trump marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army with a show of military might that also falls on his 79th birthday.
Rain is in the forecast for the parade, which suddenly takes on heightened significance amid fears the U.S. could be drawn into the war between Israel and Iran. Some have also criticized the event’s $45 million price tag.
The group “No Kings” has coordinated protests across the country to counter the military parade. Trump warned earlier this week that unruly protesters at the parade itself would be met with “very big force.”
The “No Kings” protests coincide with existing protests against ICE deportation raids, which have spread beyond Los Angeles.
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) declared a state of emergency and activated the state’s National Guard in anticipation of protests. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has done the same, as demonstrators march in Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
Chicago, Seattle, Spokane, Las Vegas and Tucson are among the other U.S. cities to experience significant protests and instances of vandalism, looting or clashes between the police and protesters.
Curfews are in effect in Los Angeles and Spokane.
U.S. Marines and National Guard troops remain deployed in Los Angeles, after an appeals court temporarily lifted a judge’s block on the troop deployment.
The appeals court ruling came after U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer ordered the president to return control of the National Guard troops to California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) by Friday.
Breyer chastised Trump by invoking the British monarchy.
“That’s the difference between a Constitutional government and King George,” Breyer said. “It’s not that a leader can simply say something and it becomes it.”
The Trump administration blasted the ruling in its appeal.
“That sort of second-guessing of the Commander in Chief’s military judgments is a gross violation of the separation of powers,” the Justice Department wrote. “Nearly 200 years ago, the Supreme Court made clear that these judgment calls are for the President to make—not a Governor, and certainly not a federal court.”
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House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement Chairman Clay Higgins (R-La.) wrote a letter to Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) saying they’re opening an investigation into the unrest in Los Angeles.
“You falsely claimed that state and local law enforcement had protests under control, however, police were clearly unable to quell the violence in Los Angeles prior to the arrival of the National Guardsmen,” the lawmakers said.
That’s likely to ignite further anger from Democrats, who are enraged after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was handcuffed on the floor after being forcefully removed from a Thursday press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in LA.
“If this is how this administration responds to a senator with a question, I can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country,” Padilla said.
Senate Democrats are calling on Noem to resign. Even some Republicans expressed anger.
“It’s horrible. It is shocking at every level. It’s not the America I know,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) told reporters.
Republicans say Padilla was deliberately trying to create a scene by disrupting the press conference in plain clothes.
