Donald Trump has made headlines again, this time for issuing a strong warning to anyone thinking about protesting during his upcoming birthday parade on Saturday. Although the right to protest peacefully is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Trump made it clear he would respond harshly to any demonstrations at the event.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said the parade would be a huge celebration, not just of his 79th birthday, but also to honor the Army’s 250th anniversary. He described the day as “amazing,” promising a grand display that would include tanks, planes, and other military equipment. He compared it to the way European countries celebrate the end of major wars, defending it as a patriotic moment. However, critics pointed out that such large military parades are often seen in authoritarian regimes like North Korea or Russia, not in democratic nations like the United States.
When asked about possible protests, Trump didn’t hold back. “We’re going big on Saturday — and if there’s any protester who wants to come out, they will be met with very big force,” he said. He then added, “I haven’t even heard about a protest. But these are people who hate our country, and they will be met with very heavy force.”
What stood out to many was Trump’s refusal to separate peaceful protesters from potentially violent ones. His threat of “heavy force” sparked concern, with some people online calling him dangerous for threatening American citizens just for exercising their rights. One person posted, “It will be peaceful until they decide to use ‘heavy force.’ What a psycho. The president keeps threatening the American people. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Another user warned that things could get out of hand quickly, especially if Trump supporters show up ready to defend him. “There’ll be plenty of MAGA folks there backing their leader. Could turn very ugly. But Trump’s been leading the country in this direction for a long time,” they wrote.
Security preparations for the parade are already intense. Matt McCool from the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office said they’re expecting a massive turnout. He confirmed that over 18 miles of anti-scale fencing has been put up around the area.
Even though the city usually bans drones, several have been deployed for extra surveillance. Army officials believe around 200,000 people will take part in the parade, and the Secret Service is preparing for hundreds of thousands more spectators. “We’ve got a ton of metal detectors,” McCool said. “If a million people show up, then we’re going to have some lines.”
Major traffic delays and disruptions are expected across Washington, D.C. as a result of the large crowds and heavy security.
It’s worth remembering that protesting peacefully is a right protected by the U.S. Constitution. The First Amendment clearly states that Americans have the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. But with Trump’s remarks and rising tensions, many are now worried that Saturday’s event might not be as peaceful as planned.
