Donald Trump to No Kings protesters: Block my parade and you’ll be met with force

Trump said on Tuesday that anyone trying to protest during his military parade on Saturday will be met with “very big force”. The parade is for Trump’s birthday and to mark 250 years of the U.S. Army. He spoke about this while sitting in the Oval Office, after a quick meeting about wildfire and forest management, as per reports.

Trump started talking about the recent L.A. protests against ICE raids, where some people got violent. He said Saturday will be an “amazing day” with tanks, planes, and many displays. He said it’s a way to celebrate the Army’s big anniversary and also America’s victory in World War II, unlike other countries, according to the report by Independent.

Trump claimed America never celebrated WWII properly, unlike Europe. He repeated again that any protesters will be faced with “very big force”. He said people protesting on Saturday are just “people who hate our country.” Trump has often called for strong action against protests, which he sees as attacks on himself, as per reports.

Trump attacks protestors

In 2020, after George Floyd’s murder, Trump got angry when it was reported he was taken to a White House bunker during protests. He even asked General Mark Milley why soldiers couldn’t just “shoot protesters in the legs.” Just before the threat, he talked about maybe using the 1807 Insurrection Act to send the army to stop protests in L.A., as stated in the report by Independent.

When asked if he’ll use it, he said, “If there’s an insurrection, I would certainly invoke it.” Trump said protesters in L.A. were caught breaking concrete blocks and throwing them at police and soldiers. He said those protesters are now in custody, thanks to the National Guard he sent, not the Governor, as per reports.

He blamed the violence on “paid insurrectionists” and “paid troublemakers.” He also said L.A. would be burning if the National Guard didn’t go in. Trump said he didn’t ask California Governor Gavin Newsom before sending troops, according to the reports.

He last talked to Newsom a day before and told him he was doing a “bad job” during the unrest. He said Newsom’s handling caused “a lot of death and potential death,” and again said without help, L.A. would be on fire, as mentioned in the reports by Independent.

FAQs

Q1. Why did Trump threaten protesters?
He said any protest during his parade would be met with “very big force.”

Q2. Who did Trump blame for the L.A. protests?
He blamed paid troublemakers and said they were causing violence.