Trump warns military parade protesters will 'be met with very big force'

Tanks, planes arrive in DC ahead of Army 250 parade

The Secret Service says hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend this weekend's big army birthday festival and parade along the National Mall. Officials say security will be massive and the logistics for many D.C. residents will likely be a challenge. FOX 5's Bob Barnard has the latest on the parade preparations.

WASHINGTON - On Tuesday, President Donald Trump defended his decision to send nearly 5,000 National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles and confirmed preparations for a high-security military parade in Washington, D.C., set to coincide with the Army’s 250th anniversary and his own birthday.

Speaking from the White House Oval Office, Trump described the situation in Los Angeles as chaotic and praised federal troops for stabilizing the city after days of unrest surrounding immigration protests.

READ MORE: Army 250 Security: 19 miles of barricades, drones, thousands of Secret Service, FBI agents

What they're saying:

"If we didn’t send our National Guard, LA would be burning right now," Trump said. "The city would be on fire, it would be burning down—the rest of it, what’s leftover."

The president claimed California’s governor and local law enforcement had failed to contain demonstrations that turned violent. "The governor is causing a lot of death, a lot of potential death," Trump said. "The police [LAPD] was unable to handle it until we got there; it was out of control."

The Pentagon says approximately 4,800 personnel were deployed-roughly 4,100 National Guard members and 700 Marines-to assist federal agents and safeguard federal property. The Department of Defense estimates the deployment has cost $134 million to date.

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The anti-ICE protests are popping up in the nation's capital. Today, dozens in support of immigration rights and policies rallied in Northwest.

When asked how long troops would remain in Los Angeles, Trump said, "Until there’s no danger."

He also defended the conduct of the National Guard and federal officers, saying, "The National Guard needed a little extra help. And we did a good job last night."

At one point, Trump referred to violent demonstrators as "animals," saying, "We have some bad people. We have people, they look in your face and spit right in your face—they’re animals."

Trump’s DC parade moves forward

Trump also confirmed plans for a large-scale military parade in Washington to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary, which will coincide with his birthday on Friday.

"It’s going to be an amazing day," he said. "We’ll have tanks, we’ll have planes, we’ll have all sorts of things. I think it’s going to be great." "We’re going to celebrate our country for a change," he added.

The Army has estimated the cost of the parade at $45 million. Preparations are underway, with 18 miles of barricades being erected across the capital, aerial surveillance planned and increased federal security throughout the District.

Trump warned that any demonstrations during the parade would be met with force.

"If there’s any protesters that want to come out," he said, "they’re going to be met with very big force."

President Donald Trump holds a Cabinet meeting, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in the Cabinet Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)