In a speech delivered at Fort Bragg on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, President Donald Trump condemned protesters in Los Angeles, labeling them as ‘animals’ and referring to them as ‘a foreign enemy.’
This address, which coincided with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, shifted sharply from its commemorative intent as the President took the opportunity to denounce demonstrators opposing his immigration enforcement raids.
Using aggressive language, President Trump not only criticized the LA protests but also reiterated his claims regarding a rigged 2020 election, while taking aim at former President Joe Biden.
Protests in Los Angeles, particularly concentrated in downtown areas, erupted in response to Trump’s immigration actions. As tensions escalated, demonstrators blocked major freeways and set vehicles on fire over the weekend.
President Trump justified the deployment of military forces, including the National Guard and U.S. Marines, in Los Angeles despite opposition from California’s Democratic Governor. ‘We will not allow an American city to be invaded and conquered by a foreign enemy. That’s what they are,’ he declared.
The President’s remarks indicate a willingness to invoke the Insurrection Act, granting him extreme powers to use military forces domestically to suppress what he described as rebellion or domestic violence.
In his speech, Trump branded Los Angeles ‘a trash heap’ where ‘entire neighborhoods [are] under control’ of criminals, asserting that the federal government would employ every resource available to restore law and order.
‘We will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean, and safe again,’ President Trump promised, although such assertions sparked further controversy.
In addition to his comments on the protests, President Trump announced the restoration of the names of seven military bases that were named after Confederate leaders, which were altered by the Biden administration. The bases mentioned include Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort A.P. Hill, and Fort Robert E. Lee.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously reinstated the names of Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, and President Trump emphasized, ‘Can you believe they changed that name in the last administration for a little bit? We’ll forget all about that.’
Before the speech, attendees witnessed a demonstration of U.S. Army capabilities, featuring missile strikes, helicopter assaults, and building raids. The event had a festive atmosphere, with carnival-like activities for families and military displays, drawing attention to the upcoming military parade planned for June 14, 2025, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.
Among the crowd were military officials, veterans, service members, and families, including Secretary Hegseth, who denounced what he called ‘woke garbage’ in the military.
Hegseth stated, ‘We’re not a college or a university. We’re not interested in your woke garbage and political correctness,’ which resonated with the audience.
Earlier in the day, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll lauded President Trump as ‘the greatest recruiter in our Army’s history.’
As tensions ran high in Los Angeles due to the protests, President Trump authorized the deployment of 4,000 National Guard soldiers, despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who described the President’s actions as an overreach of federal power.
California’s attorney general has since filed a lawsuit against President Trump, arguing that the President has ‘trampled’ the state’s sovereignty and raised concerns that Trump’s rhetoric and subsequent military actions have inflamed the situation, prompting even more protests and unrest.
The Governor and other leaders accused President Trump of heightening the anger among protesters, leading to chaotic demonstrations that include blocking freeways and vandalizing vehicles. The unfolding events reflect a deepening divide in the nation and potentially foreshadow escalations in both civil unrest and governmental responses.
As the situation develops, the attention remains on Los Angeles, where President Trump has turned to combative tactics in response to dissent against his controversial immigration policies.
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