Protests against Trump’s military parade raise security concerns in US cities

A nationwide series of protests branded “No Kings Day” is expected to unfold across more than 800 cities and towns in the United States Saturday.

The demonstrations—organized to counter a planned military parade in Washington, D.C. celebrating President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army—have drawn concern from both public safety officials and ordinary Americans wary of unrest.

While organizers have promoted the events as peaceful, many remember how similarly framed protests in recent years spiraled into violence. 

Violence in Los Angeles – which began as a peaceful rally that devolved into chaos, with storefronts left vandalized, American flags burned, and police officers injured – looms large ahead of the planned protests.

In the wake of previous protests that led to significant destruction and inflamed distrust, Fagiana emphasized that clear communication between law enforcement and residents matters.

“If you’re at a protest and have doubts or questions, go talk to a police officer. Don’t speculate but ask. Most officers are there to help and will tell you what’s going on,” he said.

Demonstrators hold various signs including “The Power of the People” and “No Kings No Royalty” at a pro-democracy rally in Hancock Adams Common in Massachusetts on April 19, 2025.  (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Organizers of the “No Kings” movement insist that this weekend’s events will remain peaceful. Public Citizen Co-President Lisa Gilbert told Fox News Digital that the protests are intended to be “peaceful, patriotic and focused on what regular Americans want and need.” 

“The Trump administration is weaponizing our military domestically as a political tool. They are escalating tensions rather than resolving them, and our events will not play into their need for more chaos,” she said. 

“Instead of allowing Trump’s bombastic military parade to be the center of gravity, we hope to make peaceful action everywhere else the story this Saturday. People will be coming together in communities across the country to reject strongman politics and corruption.”

Gilbert also emphasized that organizers have trained in de-escalation and are coordinating closely with local partners to keep events safe and orderly.

President Donald Trump arrives at the America 250 celebration at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Trump has warned that potential rioters in Washington, D.C., who target the military parade will face “heavy force.”

“People that want to protest will be met with big force,” Trump said Tuesday. “But this is people that hate our country. They will be met with heavy force.”