President Trump is basking in the U.S. military’s might in light of deploying troops to deal with protests in California ahead of a massive military parade planned in Washington this weekend.
Trump on Tuesday visited North Carolina, where he watched military demonstrations and then delivered remarks at Fort Bragg as a precursor to the military parade. He was met with cheers from the crowd, which also booed at mentions of Democrats who have feuded with the commander in chief.
The events in the lead-up to the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday celebration, which is also falling on Trump’s 79th birthday, showcases a flexing of political strength that has bolstered the White House.
But Trump is also facing concerns for setting precedents and using emergency powers to deploy the military within its own country, sentiments that also echo condemnations from his first term.
That hasn’t stopped the president from using his executive powers to use the U.S. military to quell protests in Los Angeles, something he invoked during his remarks in North Carolina.
“From June 1775 to June 2025, those foolish enough to challenge America’s Army have been met with unyielding strength, unbreakable spirit and unstoppable overwhelming force,” he said.
While he thanked Army troops at Fort Bragg, he also took digs at former President Biden for changing the name of Fort Bragg to Fort Liberty before the Trump administration changed it back to honor another military member with the Bragg name.
In a striking moment, troops in the crowd responded with boos upon the mention of Biden, with Trump at one point bragging that he didn’t think his predecessor could get such a crowd.
“You never had a crowd this big, that’s an honor. Do you think this crowd would have showed up for Biden? I don’t think so … maybe I’m wrong,” he said to more jeers.
Trump walked out to “Hail to the Chief,” followed by his signature “God Bless the USA” while Army troops known as the maroon beret waved flags, cheered and chanted “USA.” One shouted “we love you Trump” while the president stood relishing in the moment before his remarks.
“Saturday is going to be a big day in Washington, D.C. A lot of people say we don’t want to do that. I said, ‘Yeah we do. We want to show off a little bit,’” Trump said, reiterating what he said to reporters earlier in the day — that everyone would be speaking German or Japanese if the U.S. didn’t win World War II.
The parade, which is expected to roll down Constitution Avenue, is estimated to cost a whopping $45 million. It will feature dozens of military tanks rolling through the nation’s capital, parachuters and rocket launchers, while Trump is expected to view the parade from a viewing box.
The price tag and showmanship struck even some Republicans the wrong way.
“Never been a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers in big tanks and missiles rolling down the street. So if you asked me, I wouldn’t have done it. I’m not sure what the actual expense of it is, but I’m not really— we were always different than the images you saw of the Soviet Union and North Korea. We were proud not to be that,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told Fox News.
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said he “wouldn’t spend the money if it were me,” adding, “A lion doesn’t have to tell you it’s a lion.”
When Trump landed in Fort Bragg, he watched a special operations forces demonstration. He was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth who watched as troops crawled in the marsh holding their guns, helicopters and drones flew overhead and video footage showed the inside of aircraft. They also watched 600 paratroopers fly in on C-17 and C-130 planes and parachute on the tarmac.
That stood to be a preview of what the nation’s capital could expect on Saturday. There is also the threat of protesters, who the president has warned would be met with “very big force.”
Military force has been deployed by Trump in the city of Los Angeles, despite local officials there making no such request in light of protests over immigration raids over the weekend.
It’s also set up a political fight that Trump wants in feuding with liberal California Democrats like Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is thought to be a 2028 presidential contender. Trump officials, including his border czar Tom Homan, have even suggested arresting Newsom, though Homan seemed to dial back that notion earlier Tuesday.
During his remarks Tuesday, Trump defended his decision to send in 700 active-duty Marines and more than 4,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles to quell the protests.
“Generations of Army heroes did not shed their blood on distant shores only to watch our country be destroyed by invasion and third-world lawlessness here at home, like is happening in California. As commander in chief, I will not let that happen. It’s never going to happen,” he said to cheers from the military members at Fort Bragg.
He argued the service members sent to Los Angeles are “stopping an invasion.” And he later called Los Angeles “a trash heap.” His mention of Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) also elicited boos from the Army members.
“The only flag that will wave triumphant over the streets of Los Angeles is the American flag, so help me God,” Trump said.
