Donald Trump heads to Fort Bragg to celebrate 250th anniversary for US Army amid troop deployment in LA

US President Donald Trump heads to Fort Bragg on Tuesday to mark the beginning of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The visit, held at the country’s largest military base, comes at a politically charged moment as Trump faces criticism for deploying military forces to quell immigration protests in Los Angeles.

A day of ceremony and spectacle

The event at Fort Bragg, located near Fayetteville, North Carolina, featured a full military readiness demonstration. According to the White House, Trump will observe the display at 2:40 p.m. and deliver his remarks at 4 p.m. The President was joined by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Soldiers, veterans, and their families were also present.

The Army described the event as one that would “feature a ceremony honouring past and present service members, live demonstrations showcasing the operational capabilities of today’s military, and patriotic musical performances accompanied by remarks from senior military leaders.”

How to attend: Ticketing and entry requirements

The event was open to the public, but access was tightly controlled. Those without a military ID were required to pre-register online at America250.org, the official website of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission. Only one ticket was issued per phone number, and all tickets were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

To enter Fort Bragg, visitors needed to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s licence or one of the following:

• U.S. Passport Card
• Federally-issued Personal Identification Verification
• Veterans Health Identification Card (issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Those without military credentials could also register for base access at pass.aie.army.mil.

What is Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg is home to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, including elite units like the Green Berets and the Rangers. The base plays a central role in the Army’s operational readiness and is often chosen for high-profile military events.

The Fort Bragg event is a precursor to a grand military parade scheduled for 14 June in Washington, D.C.—the Army’s official birthday and, coincidentally, Trump’s 79th. The administration has stated the timing is purely coincidental. The parade will include tanks, aircraft, and 6,600 soldiers, with hundreds coming from Fort Bragg.

Deployment controversy casts a shadow

Trump’s visit comes amid growing criticism over his decision to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles. The move followed protests sparked by immigration raids. Trump has defended the deployment, viewing the military as a tool for maintaining order during domestic unrest.

While many supporters welcomed Trump’s presence at Fort Bragg, not everyone was pleased. A protest was planned for Saturday at Cross Creek Linear Park in Fayetteville, reflecting the divided public opinion surrounding the President’s actions.

To accommodate the event, Fort Bragg’s Public Affairs Office announced that non-essential employees would be released from duty at noon on 10 June. However, all Child Development Centres remained open “to support Soldiers and families who are supporting or attending the Army’s 250th Birthday celebration on the installation.”