Trump’s Domestic Military Parade and National Guard Threats Stir Constitutional Concerns

JB Quinnon
Jun 11
1 min read

Posted on: June 12, 2025

President Donald Trump has reignited debate over the domestic use of the U.S. military after threatening to deploy National Guard troops to multiple cities amid immigration-related protests. The move comes just days before a scheduled military parade in Washington, D.C., which critics argue is as much about political theatrics as it is about patriotism.

Troops in the Streets

Already, thousands of National Guard troops and active-duty Marines are stationed in Los Angeles following unrest triggered by large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Now, the Trump team has floated the possibility of federalizing the National Guard to quell any further protests in other cities.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that federal law allows the Pentagon to override governors and send military forces wherever it deems necessary—a legal power not used since the civil rights era.

Political Show or National Security?

Coinciding with these warnings is Trump’s push for a massive D.C. military parade on June 14—his 79th birthday. Framed as a tribute to the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, the parade is drawing criticism for blurring the line between military honor and political spectacle.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom have publicly opposed the troop deployment, calling it excessive and politically motivated. A legal challenge is underway to prevent further federal interference.

Critics Sound the Alarm

Analysts and civil rights advocates warn that Trump's actions set a dangerous precedent, weaponizing military power against domestic dissent. Some compare the strategy to authoritarian regimes that suppress