The White House tries to clarify Trump’s call to use the ‘gravity’ in each ‘Military Parade Protection’
The White House on Wednesday tried to clarify the threat of President Donald Trump the day before to use the “heavy force” to “every” protesters in the military parade this weekend in Washington celebrating the 250th birthday of the army.
“The President supports peaceful protests,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a White House Briefing after Trump did not distinguish between peaceful and cruel protesters.
“He supports the first amendment. He supports the right of Americans to make their voices be heard,” he added, after being asked what Trump would allow in the parade given his military response to protests against immigration policies in Los Angeles. “He does not support violence in any form. He does not support attackers law enforcement officers who only try to do their work.”
“It is very clear for the president what he supports and what he does not do,” he said. “Unfortunately for Democrats, the line is not clarified, and they have allowed this unrest in this violence, and the President must intervene.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke with reporters in the James Brady Briefing press room in the White House, June 11, 2025, in Washington.
Saul Loeb/AFP Via Getty Images
Black Hawk Sikorsky UH-60 helicopter to be used in the celebration of the US Army’s 250th anniversary, preparing to land in a national mall near the US Capitol in Washington, June 11, 2025.
Alexander Drago/Reuters
The President’s comment on Tuesday said the protesters would “meet with heavy power” if they arrived in Washington for the parade, which occurred several days after he sent the National Guard and Marine to Los Angeles to extinguish protests against the operations carried out by the Immigration and US Customs.
“These are people who hate our country,” he said at the oval office.
“We will celebrate a big on Saturday,” Trump added. “If there are protesters who want to come out, they will meet a very large power.”
The army stood between the columns of Stryker armored vehicle columns who participated in the 1250th anniversary celebration of the Army during the Primary at West Potomac Park in Washington, June 11, 2025.
Mandel and/AFP
The US Army review stand continues to be built in front of the White House ahead of the 1250th anniversary of the Army and Celebration, June 11, 2025 in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Image
The US secret service and local DC officials said they only expect a few small protests in the Saturday parade, and defeating themselves on Tuesday night seems to soften the previous oval office comments, saying, “As long as we have the military there, protests will not mean anything.”
“The military will be a very heavy force – very proud to tell you,” he told reporters who asked him what he meant. “They might also turn around. They waste time.”
Tourists navigate anti-scale fences along the National Mall, June 11, 2025 in Washington.
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
A soldier who saw out of the M1A2 Abrams tanks ahead of the upcoming US Army 250 birthday celebration parade in Washington, June 11, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
High fences have been established and other security measures have been taken around Washington ahead of the parades said by the “proactive” pure white building and not as a reaction to protests in Los Angeles.
“These are proactive security steps to protect those who line up in the parade, many of them will become veterans, and our brave men and women in uniform families and golden stars,” Leavitt said. “And of course, it is to protect the audience who will enjoy this very patriotic show on Saturday.”
Leavitt’s comments came when the first soldier arrived in the district for the parade.
The barricade was founded around the Hawk Army Hawk helicopter, Sikorsky UH-60, which was parked at the National Mall near the Smithsonian Castle, June 11, 2025 in Washington.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
M1A2/Abrams tanks are in front of the road ahead of the 250th anniversary celebration of the US Army who will come in Washington, June 11, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Around 6,700 troops will participate, and there will be eight marching bands, 24 horses, two bagals and a dog.
Tank dozens of tanks, military vehicles, howitzer and various aircraft, including those used in World War II and the Korean and Vietnamese war, will be displayed, and the army on Wednesday added rocket launchers and missiles guided by precision to the celebration.
The White House also made the last minute request so that the Air Force Thunderbirds flight above the parade, according to a US official.
This event has developed rapidly in recent months, with a parade added after Trump’s inauguration.
The White House did not respond to requests for comments.
ABC News’ Anne Flaherty contributed to this report.
