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In a fiery speech ahead of this weekend’s planned military parade in the nation’s capital, President Donald Trumpescalated his rhetoric against protesters in Los Angeles, threatened demonstrators with “very big force,” and promised to restore the names of Confederate commanders to U.S. military bases.
Speaking to troops during a patriotic celebration that featured tanks, paratroopers, and fighter jets, Trump praised his decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles, where days of protests have erupted over his administration’s immigration raids.
“Very simply, we will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean and safe again,” Trump said. “It’s happening very quickly.”
Threats of Force Ahead of Parade
Trump issued a stern warning to anyone considering demonstrating during Saturday’s parade along the National Mall — an event coinciding with his 79th birthday.
“If there’s any protesters that want to come out, they’re going to be met with very big force,” Trump said. “This is people that hate our country.”
Protesters have announced plans for a national day of resistance under the banner of “No Kings Day,” in opposition to what they call Trump’s increasingly authoritarian actions and disregard for judicial authority.
“Invasion” Rhetoric and Flag Burning
Trump cast the unrest in Los Angeles in militaristic and conspiratorial terms, calling it the result of a “foreign invasion” aided by domestic radicals.
“What you’re witnessing in California is a full-blown assault on peace and public order,” Trump said. “Rioters bearing foreign flags” are part of a plot “to conquer an American city.”
He also said individuals who burn the American flag should be jailed for one year, despite First Amendment protections upheld by the Supreme Court since 1989.
Confederate Base Names to Be Restored
In a surprise announcement, Trump said he will reverse the Pentagon’s previous renaming of several military bases that had been named after Confederate generals, including Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, and Fort Polk.
“We won a lot of battles out of those forts; it’s no time to change,” Trump said, adding, “I’m superstitious, you know? I like to keep it going.”
Though the Biden administration had renamed Fort Bragg as Fort Liberty, the Pentagon under Trump has now reverted it, claiming it is now named after World War II paratrooper Roland Bragg, not Confederate General Braxton Bragg.
Military Spectacle and Political Theater
Tuesday’s event offered a preview of the June 14th parade, which Trump has long sought as a show of American military dominance. The event included:
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C-17 and C-130 flyovers
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Artillery demonstrations with HIMARS and howitzers
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600 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne
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Live coverage of Trump’s Marine One landing set to “Macho Man”
Trump addressed a crowd of thousands, including troops in red berets, families in MAGA hats, and military brass. He praised the event as an “awesome display of unrivaled American military might.”
“Saturday is going to be a big day in Washington, D.C.,” Trump said. “We’re going to celebrate our country — for a change.”
Insurrection Act Threat Looms
Trump also suggested he may invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 if unrest continues, though he stopped short of a formal declaration.
“If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it,” Trump said. “Last night was terrible. The night before that was terrible.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has condemned the troop deployment, arguing it was done without his consent. The White House insists the move was necessary to protect federal agents, particularly ICE personnel.
Outlook: A Show of Force Amid National Tension
The events in Washington and Los Angeles underscore Trump’s ongoing strategy to project strength, nationalism, and executive dominance — often by confronting perceived threats from both immigration and domestic dissent.
With public protests looming and opposition from state leaders intensifying, Saturday’s parade could serve as both a celebration of military might and a flashpoint for civil unrest — especially as Trump leans into militant language and dismisses concerns about the erosion of democratic norms.
Whether Trump follows through on invoking the Insurrection Act, or whether the parade itself becomes a stage for protests and counter-protests, remains to be seen — but the tone has been set.
