President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned protesters to stay away from his controversial military parade planned for Saturday in Washington D.C. — or face “very big force.”
As he defends his crackdown on immigration protests in Los Angeles, Trump said authorities wouldn’t hesitate to flex their muscles if protesters seek to disrupt the parade that marks the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which falls on his own 79th birthday.
“For those people that want to protest, they’re going to be met with very big force,” Trump told reporters at a White House appearance.
Trump said he hasn’t received any credible reports of plans to derail the parade.
“I haven’t even heard about a protest,” he said. “But (these are) people that hate our country.”
Army officials have estimated around 200,000 people will attend the pomp-filled evening military parade in the nation’s capital.
“We’re preparing for an enormous turnout,” said Matt McCool of the Secret Service’s Washington Field office.
Security plans include erecting more than 18 miles of “anti-scale fencing” would be erected, installing 175 metal detectors along the parade route and flying “multiple drones” over Washington D.C. Reagan National Airport will be closed.
The military parade has been designated a National Special Security Event, a status akin to presidential inaugurations or state funerals, events that draw large crowds as well as the potential for mass protests.
The Army birthday celebration had already been planned for months. But this spring, Trump announced his intention to transform the event that coincides with his birthday into a massive military parade complete with 60-ton M1 Abrams battle tanks and Paladin self-propelled howitzers rolling through the city streets.
Critics say the parade amounts to a wasteful display of personal loyalty to Trump and is designed to enhance his image as a strongman.
Some protests were already expected, including a mass march to the White House. With the immigration-related clashes roiling Los Angeles, officials say they are shifting to higher alert for Saturday.
“We’re paying attention, obviously, to what is happening there. We’ll be ready,” McCool said. “We have a robust plan for civil disobedience.”
