President Donald Trump is demonstrating his role as commander-in-chief through two contrasting displays of military power this week. While thousands of troops have been deployed to Los Angeles to control immigration protests, Washington prepares for an unprecedented military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday.
According to Politico, in Los Angeles, Trump has mobilized thousands of California National Guard members and hundreds of Marines, despite opposition from Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The deployment aims to suppress protests against the president’s deportation policies, marking a more decisive approach compared to his handling of previous civil unrest. Also, Gavin Newsom is furious over Marines’ L.A. deployment, stating, ‘a blatant abuse of power’.
The Washington military parade fulfills Trump’s long-held ambition, inspired by his 2017 attendance at France’s Bastille Day celebration, which he called “one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen.” The event, scheduled for Saturday, will feature more than 100 military vehicles and thousands of soldiers, including M1A2 Abrams tanks on Constitution Avenue and various military aircraft performing flyovers. Trump is threatening ‘heavy force’ against anyone protesting his military parade.
Military deployment signals shift in domestic policy
The administration’s response to the Los Angeles protests represents a significant departure from Trump’s handling of the 2020 George Floyd protests. This time, he acted within 24 hours of the protests’ onset, mobilizing troops without waiting for the governor’s support, demonstrating a more assertive approach to domestic unrest.
Not just Democrats but also several prominent Republicans have chosen to skip Trump’s $40-million military parade on Saturday — a spectacle featuring tanks, flypasts and fireworks. Yet one special invitee, Pakistan’s newly minted field marshal Asim Munir, is arriving in…
— Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) June 11, 2025
The parade’s estimated cost ranges between $25 million and $50 million, surpassing the expenses of any recent military parade. Pentagon parking lots and West Potomac Park are already hosting dozens of military vehicles, including Humvees and tanks, in preparation for the event.
Trump’s expanded use of military resources during his second term includes deploying 10,000 active duty and Guard troops to the southern border, utilizing military aircraft for migrant transportation, and sending 4,700 troops to Los Angeles. These actions reflect his increasingly unilateral approach to wielding presidential power.
The dual displays of military force have divided Pentagon officials along political lines. While supporters view the parade as a legitimate celebration of the Army’s birthday, critics compare it to displays typically associated with authoritarian regimes. The events highlight Trump’s growing confidence in exercising his role as commander-in-chief and his willingness to use military power for domestic purposes.
