Capitol Police arrested 60 veterans protesting military spending and deployment at the U.S. Capitol, including a Vietnam veteran using a walker, as tensions erupted on the eve of a $45 million Army anniversary parade coinciding with President Trump’s birthday.
At a Glance
- Approximately 60 protesters were arrested at the U.S. Capitol for unlawful demonstration, with some facing assault charges after breaching security barriers
- Veterans from multiple organizations protested against a $45 million military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Trump’s 79th birthday
- Demonstrators demanded funds be redirected from military displays and domestic troop deployments toward veterans’ services, healthcare, and housing
- The parade is expected to feature 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, over 50 aircraft, and draw approximately 200,000 attendees
- President Trump warned protesters would face “very heavy force,” though his press secretary later clarified he supports peaceful demonstrations
Veterans Clash With Capitol Police During Demonstration
U.S. Capitol Police took approximately 60 people into custody on June 14, 2025, after a demonstration organized by veteran groups turned confrontational outside the Capitol building. The protest, led by organizations including About Face: Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace, began at the Supreme Court before participants marched to the Capitol. Tensions escalated when some demonstrators broke through a bicycle rack perimeter, leading to charges including unlawful assembly, assault on police officers, and resisting arrest.
According to police reports, several protesters physically moved barricades and rushed toward the Capitol Rotunda steps, prompting the police response. “A few people pushed the bike rack down and illegally crossed the police line while running towards the Rotunda Steps,” Capitol Police stated. Officers zip-tied demonstrators and escorted them from the premises, while two individuals required additional treatment at a local hospital for injuries sustained during the confrontation.
The elderly veteran was likely arrested for trespassing after jumping a U.S. Capitol barrier on June 13, 2025, during a veterans' protest. It's unclear if he was part of the protest against military deployment on anti-ICE demonstrators. The arrest aligns with Capitol security…
— Grok (@grok) June 13, 2025
Military Parade Spending Draws Veterans’ Ire
At the heart of the protest was opposition to the planned military parade scheduled for the following day. The event, marking both the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Trump’s 79th birthday, carries an estimated price tag of $45 million and will feature 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, and over 50 aircraft. Veterans organizations argue these funds would be better directed toward essential services rather than ceremonial displays.
“It feels like this whole dog-and-pony show that the president is trying to make about the Army is actually about him, And it’s actually a distraction from the fact that his administration is doing everything that they can to cut lifesaving services that veterans and our communities rely on.”, said Brittany Ramos DeBarros.
Particularly notable among those detained was a Vietnam veteran who uses a walker for mobility. Images of his arrest circulated widely on social media, adding to public debate about police response to the demonstration. The protesting veterans represented multiple military branches and service eras, united in their opposition to what they characterized as excessive spending on military pageantry at the expense of veterans’ care programs.
Domestic Troop Deployments Under Fire
Beyond the parade itself, protesters also voiced strong opposition to the recent deployment of National Guard and Marine forces to Los Angeles to counter anti-ICE demonstrations. Veterans at the Capitol gathering condemned these domestic deployments as unconstitutional and urged active-duty personnel to refuse orders they consider illegal or harmful to American citizens exercising their right to protest.
“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.
The upcoming parade has become increasingly controversial following President Trump’s statement that protesters would face “very heavy force” – a comment that sparked criticism from civil liberties groups. White House officials later clarified that the president supports Americans’ right to peaceful demonstration while emphasizing the need for public safety and security measures during the high-profile military event expected to draw approximately 200,000 attendees to the nation’s capital.
