Trump Commemorates Army Anniversary Amid Deployment of Troops in Los Angeles

In a significant move amidst ongoing social unrest, President Donald Trump is set to address U.S. military personnel on Tuesday, as his administration dispatches 700 Marines to Los Angeles. This deployment is seen as a response to escalating protests against his immigration policies.

Trump, accompanied by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, will visit Fort Bragg, which hosts approximately 50,000 active-duty soldiers, for events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. This visit precedes a grand parade scheduled in Washington on Saturday, which aims to honor military service.

The troop deployment in California aims to bolster National Guard forces already stationed to safeguard federal properties and personnel. However, California's government, led by Democrats, has criticized this action as an overreach of executive power and an unnecessary provocation.

Protests in Southern California have intensified since last Friday, with demonstrators clashing with law enforcement. The unrest is largely fueled by Trump's commitment to increasing deportations of undocumented immigrants and tightening border security, with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency tasked with a daily goal of arresting 3,000 migrants.

Demonstrators have gathered at various locations, including facilities where immigrants are detained, expressing their dissent against the current immigration policies.

Trump's address to the troops is expected to center around the Army's anniversary and the valor of service members, with an audience of approximately 15,000 soldiers anticipated to be present. Additionally, Trump plans to observe military exercises showcasing artillery, special forces, and paratroopers.

This week's Army commemorations reflect Trump's dual interests in patriotic displays and his positioning as a proponent of law and order. The forthcoming celebrations in Washington, occurring on Trump's 79th birthday, will feature thousands of troops and numerous military aircraft.

The U.S. Army was officially established on June 14, 1775, predating the Declaration of Independence by more than a year. Earlier this year, Trump reinstated the name Fort Bragg for the base, despite legislation that discourages honoring Civil War generals who served the Confederacy. The administration asserts that the name now pays tribute to Private First Class Roland Bragg, a World War II veteran, even though Fort Bragg had been renamed Fort Liberty in 2023 following racial justice protests.

Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has focused on military issues, including efforts to remove transgender service members and to appoint officials aligned with his administration's policies. He has committed to avoiding international conflicts while simultaneously advocating for new military hardware and increased domestic military involvement, particularly concerning immigration enforcement. His administration's budgetary reforms have largely exempted the Defense Department, which operates with an annual budget close to $1 trillion.