The Voice News: Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning ahead of a massive military parade planned for Saturday, vowing that “any” protesters disrupting the event will be “met with heavy force.”
Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump emphasized the scale of the parade — organized to mark both the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and his own 79th birthday — and said the government would take strong action against anyone seeking to disrupt it.
“We’re going to celebrate big on Saturday,” the president said. “If any protesters want to come out, they will be met with very big force. These are people that hate our country.”
Trump’s comments follow his recent decision to deploy National Guard and Marine units to Los Angeles in response to ongoing protests there against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Military Show of Force in the Capital
The upcoming parade is being touted as one of the largest displays of military hardware in U.S. history. According to the Department of Defense, the spectacle will feature:
28 Abrams tanks
28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles
28 Stryker vehicles
4 Paladin self-propelled howitzers
8 military marching bands
50 aircraft, including historic and modern planes
24 horses, 2 mules, and 1 military dog
Thousands of troops are expected to march through the streets of Washington in military uniforms from different eras, in what Trump described as a tribute to “the incredible history and strength of our armed forces.”
“It’s going to be a parade, the likes of which I don’t know if we’ve ever had,” Trump said. “We’re going to show off a little bit.”
Concerns Over Protests and Use of Force
While the U.S. Secret Service and Washington officials confirmed that nine small protests are expected in the city on Saturday, they indicated no credible threats of violence. Matt McCool, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, said law enforcement agencies were prepared but not anticipating major disruptions.
“From a Secret Service perspective, it’s simply people using that First Amendment right to protest,” McCool said. “But if that turns violent or any laws are broken, that’s when MPD, Park Police, and the Secret Service will be involved.”
The National Guard will be deployed during the parade but will remain unarmed, officials said. Units from the D.C. National Guard and other states will assist in crowd control and logistics.
Military Reiterates Support for Peaceful Protest
Despite Trump’s statements, Army officials reiterated their support for the public’s right to peaceful assembly. Army spokesperson Steve Warren, who previously expressed support for peaceful demonstrations, said on Tuesday that his stance remains unchanged.
“We’re not doing crowd control,” Warren clarified. “Our motto is ‘This We’ll Defend’ — that includes the values of democracy.”
Nationwide Protests Planned
Outside of Washington, progressive groups are organizing nationwide demonstrations timed with the parade. The flagship protest, dubbed the “No Kings” rally, is expected to draw large crowds in Philadelphia, criticizing what activists call the growing authoritarian tone of the Trump administration.
ABC News has reached out to the White House for clarification on what specific actions would constitute the “heavy force” the president referenced, but no response has yet been issued.
A Nation Divided on Display
Saturday’s military parade is shaping up to be more than a patriotic celebration — it is becoming a flashpoint in a deeply polarized political climate. While supporters see the event as a bold tribute to military history, critics argue it risks politicizing the armed forces and escalating tensions.
As tanks roll into D.C. and the skies fill with military aircraft, all eyes will be on how the administration handles dissent in a city synonymous with American democracy.