White House Affirms Trump Supports Peaceful Protest Amid Military Parade Tensions

President Donald Trump has warned that protesters planning to demonstrate during a large-scale military parade will be met with "very big" or "heavy force," raising concerns about the administration's stance on protest rights. Despite Trump's comments, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly affirmed that the president supports peaceful protests and the First Amendment, dismissing questions to the contrary as "stupid." The military parade, scheduled for Flag Day and coinciding with the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday, is heavily secured with thousands of police officers, metal detectors, and surveillance measures. The event comes amid nationwide protests, particularly in Los Angeles, in response to recent immigration enforcement actions, which prompted Trump to deploy the National Guard and marines. While hundreds of peaceful "No Kings" protests are planned across the country, none will overlap with the parade route, and organizers emphasize nonviolent action. The White House continues to navigate the tension between ensuring security and upholding the right to peaceful protest amid heightened political and social unrest.