Veterans protesting Trump’s military parade breach police line; 60 arrested near Capitol steps
Police arrested about 60 veterans and military family members on Friday evening after protesters breached a security line outside the US Capitol. The protest, which turned tense as demonstrators pushed down police bike racks, was organised to oppose President Donald Trump’s deployment of troops and an extravagant military parade planned for his 79th birthday.
The Capitol Police said the group initially gathered peacefully outside the Supreme Court, directly across from the Capitol. Around 75 protesters held a rally and press conference led by advocacy groups About Face: Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace. But as the demonstration wound down, officers moved to establish a perimeter using bike racks to keep protesters away from the Capitol steps.
Tensions escalated when a number of demonstrators shoved aside the barriers and rushed toward the Rotunda steps. “A few people pushed the bike rack down and illegally crossed the police line while running towards the Rotunda Steps,” Capitol Police said. Officers quickly intervened, blocking the group’s advance and taking dozens into custody.
“All will be charged with unlawful demonstration and crossing a police line. Additional charges for some will include assault on a police officer and resisting arrest,” the Capitol Police confirmed.
The protest targeted Trump’s controversial decision to deploy the National Guard and active-duty Marines in Los Angeles to quell unrest, as well as his planned military spectacle in Washington. Organisers criticised the parade’s estimated $45 million price tag, arguing the funds should be used for veteran care and public services instead.
“We want a future where we invest in care for veterans, in health care, and in education, not where we spend $50 million on a parade,” said Brittany Ramos DeBarros, an Army combat veteran and organising director of About Face: Veterans Against the War.
The arrests come on the eve of what’s expected to be one of Washington’s largest gatherings this summer. The military parade, celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday, is set to draw hundreds of thousands to the capital. The extravagant event will showcase tanks, warplanes, troops and military hardware in a grand display of American power.
Security for the event is being overseen by the US Secret Service, which has taken extensive precautions. Special Agent Matt McCool of the Washington Field Office told CNN that the agency, along with other federal partners, is closely monitoring protests in Los Angeles and elsewhere. While they have plans in place to handle mass demonstrations on Saturday, McCool confirmed there were no known active threats as of Friday evening.
The security measures are extensive. Officials have erected 18 miles of anti-scalable fencing around the Capitol complex and parade route. Thousands of officers will be on duty, supported by surveillance drones, counter-snipers, and other high-tech security features.
The protest near the Capitol was part of a broader wave of opposition against Trump’s expanding use of military force within the United States and his highly publicised birthday parade. Millions nationwide have voiced their frustration, joining the growing “No Kings” movement, which opposes what critics call Trump’s authoritarian tendencies.
Friday’s incident underscores the increasingly volatile atmosphere in Washington, where Trump’s show of military strength has drawn both adoration and fierce backlash. As veterans, military families, and protesters prepare for more demonstrations, authorities remain on high alert, bracing for what could be another tense day in the nation’s capital