Trump to Celebrate Army Milestone Amid Los Angeles Unrest/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump marks the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary at Fort Bragg while deploying Marines to Los Angeles amid immigration protest unrest. The move, part of a growing domestic military strategy, has sparked backlash from California leaders. Trump’s actions align with a broader campaign message of law and order ahead of his birthday parade in Washington.
Trump’s Army Visit & LA Deployment Quick Looks
- Trump visits Fort Bragg to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary
- 700 Marines deployed to Los Angeles amid ongoing immigration protests
- California officials denounce troop presence as provocation
- Saturday’s military parade in D.C. will coincide with Trump’s 79th birthday
- 15,000+ troops expected at Fort Bragg event; special forces demonstration included
- Trump’s remarks emphasize military strength, patriotism, and immigration policy
- ICE set goal: 3,000 migrant arrests per day under Trump directive
- Base renaming controversy resurfaces as Fort Bragg’s old name is restored
- Trump focuses military efforts on domestic use and enforcement
- The Army was founded June 14, 1775, predating U.S. independence
Deep Look: Trump Honors Army’s 250th, Sends Marines to LA Amid Unrest
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump commemorated the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army with a speech at Fort Bragg on Tuesday — even as his administration ordered the deployment of 700 Marines to Los Angeles, escalating the federal response to immigration-related protests in California.
The celebration, held days ahead of a large military parade in Washington marking Trump’s 79th birthday, served as both a patriotic showcase and a platform for his “law and order” messaging.
“We are honoring the courage of our soldiers while securing the homeland from lawlessness,” a senior White House official told reporters ahead of the event.
A Symbolic Stop at Fort Bragg
Trump, accompanied by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, spoke before an audience expected to top 15,000 troops at one of the world’s largest military installations. The event featured artillery demonstrations, special forces drills, and a paratrooper show — a full display of U.S. military might.
The visit also spotlighted a contentious name change. Earlier this year, Trump restored the name “Fort Bragg” to the base, reversing a 2023 decision to rename it “Fort Liberty” amid the racial justice protests. Trump claims the reinstated name now honors Private First Class Roland Bragg, a World War II veteran, distancing it from its previous Confederate namesake.
Marines Head West As Protests Escalate
Simultaneously, the White House confirmed the deployment of 700 Marines to Southern California to bolster more than 4,000 National Guard troops guarding federal buildings amid growing unrest in Los Angeles. Demonstrations began Friday, focused on Trump’s aggressive immigration policies — including a new directive setting a daily target of 3,000 migrant arrests for ICE agents.
“This is about defending federal personnel, not provoking conflict,” Hegseth said. But California leaders — including Governor Gavin Newsom — called the deployment an abuse of power.
From Celebration to Political Messaging
Saturday’s parade in Washington will merge Trump’s birthday celebration with a military show of force. It will include dozens of military aircraft, active-duty troops, and battle tanks rolling through the streets — all in service of what many critics see as political theater.
For Trump, however, the optics are strategic: reinforcing his role as a law-and-order president, projecting strength amid domestic tension, and reminding supporters of his deep alignment with the armed forces.
“The Army was founded before our country even declared independence,” Trump said in his prepared remarks. “And still today, it defends our freedom every single day.”
Broader Military Strategy in Trump’s Second Term
Since returning to office in January, Trump has doubled down on a military-focused agenda. He has:
- Purged diversity programs within the Defense Department
- Removed transgender service members
- Fired officials appointed by the previous administration
- Greenlit new weapons development programs
- Advocated for a domestic role for the military, particularly around immigration
Despite promises to avoid new overseas conflicts, Trump’s defense spending has remained untouched amid broader government cost-cutting measures. The Pentagon’s budget nears $1 trillion, yet Trump has carved out space to expand the military’s domestic responsibilities.
“This isn’t just about defense. It’s about reclaiming our streets and restoring our sovereignty,” Hegseth told lawmakers recently.
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