Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Tuesday to anyone planning to protest at this weekend’s military parade in Washington, D.C., marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force.”
Law enforcement officials are bracing for massive crowds on Saturday, with U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool saying that hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend the event. To secure the capital, thousands of federal and local agents, officers, and specialists from various agencies will be deployed.
Despite the heightened precautions, the FBI and the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that there are currently no credible threats to the parade. According to the Secret Service, at least nine permits have already been issued for demonstrations planned for that day.
In spontaneous remarks from the Oval Office, Trump also referenced his recent decision to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests triggered by federal immigration raids at workplaces in the city. The move was met with backlash from both state and local leaders, but Trump defended the action, insisting that federal troops were necessary to contain the unrest.
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Saturday’s event, which notably coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday, will feature an Army birthday festival on the National Mall and culminate in a grand military parade through Washington, D.C. The President is also expected to oversee an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony during the festivities.
Meanwhile, a protest group named No Kings has been organizing nationwide demonstrations to coincide with the celebration. The group has publicly condemned the administration’s actions, stating on its website: “They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too far. No thrones. No crowns. No kings.”
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As tensions mount ahead of the anniversary celebrations, law enforcement agencies remain on high alert to prevent any escalation during what is set to be a highly watched and politically charged event.
