Washington (AP) – President Donald Trump is set to address attendees at Fort Bragg on Tuesday, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the US military. He plans to deploy the army in response to immigrant protests taking place in Los Angeles.
Fort Bragg, located near Fayetteville, North Carolina, serves as the base for the US Army Special Operations Command, housing elite units such as the Green Berets and Rangers.
Joining Trump at the event on Tuesday will be Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, along with service members, veterans, and their families.
Trump is highlighting the Army’s anniversary as a reason for a military parade in Washington DC. Notably, Saturday also marks his 79th birthday, with tanks and other military vehicles expected to traverse the city streets upon their return from the White House this year, reflecting the Republican president’s goals for his military restructuring.
Recognizing the military’s role as a strategic asset for domestic matters, Trump is leveraging the recent protests in Los Angeles as an opportunity to deploy the National Guard and the US Marines to quell disturbances that arose from the migrant crisis.
Trump has authorized the deployment of 4,000 National Guard soldiers to the city, despite objections from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Additionally, around 700 Marines are scheduled for deployment in Los Angeles.
California is suing Trump regarding these developments, as the state’s attorney general claims the president is undermining the state’s sovereignty. California officials have accused Trump of inciting anger among protesters, who have been blocking major highways and engaging in unrest.
“We’re going to have an army everywhere,” Trump declared over the weekend. “We are not going to let this happen to our country.”
Fort Bragg is currently at the center of a cultural debate concerning its military identity, having been renamed from its original title honoring a Confederate general to Fort Liberty two years ago.
Hegges has returned the Bragg name, claiming it honors the Army’s Air Troops that served valiantly during World War II.
Source: apnews.com