FORT BRAGG, N.C. — President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was restoring the original names of multiple military installations whose names were changed as part of an effort by former President Joe Biden’s Department of Defense to rename ones bearing referencing former Confederate figures. 

Trump’s trip to Fort Bragg, which included the president viewing a military demonstration, comes amid his controversial decision to deploy National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests in the city over his administration’s recent immigration enforcement actions. 

In his remarks at the installation, the president referred to the Southern Californian city as a “trash heap” amid the protests, pledging to “liberate it.” He praised the soldiers he sent for being “aggressive” in response to demonstrators, more so, he said, than the police in Los Angeles. 


What You Need To Know

  • President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was restoring the original names of multiple military installations whose names were changes as part of an effort by former President Joe Biden’s Department of Defense to rename ones bearing referencing former Confederate figures
  • The president made the announcement at an event to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, which saw its name changed to Fort Liberty during the Biden administration and changed back after Trump took power
  • Trump’s trip to Fort Bragg, which included the president viewing a military demonstration, comes amid his controversial decision to deploy National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests in the city over his administration’s recent immigration enforcement actions
  • Trump has promoted the Army's anniversary as a reason to hold a military parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, which is also his 79th birthday

The president has authorized the deployment of about 4,000 National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines. California is suing over the move, with state and local leaders arguing the administration is purposefully stocking anger. 

Trump declared in his remarks that the “anarchy” in California “will not stand.” 

The president made the announcement that bases will be renamed at an event to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army at North Carolina's Fort Bragg, which saw its name changed to Fort Liberty during the Biden administration and changed back after Trump took power. 

“Every inch of this base is steeped in the legacy of those warriors who have said, with pride, ‘Sir, I trained at Fort Bragg, sir,’” Trump said of the installation, which was named after Gen. Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general from Warrenton, North Carolina, who was known for owning slaves. “That is why we restored the historic name of this very, very special place.” 

Fort Bragg, located near Fayetteville, N.C., serves as headquarters for U.S. Army Special Operations Command, with highly trained units like the Green Berets and the Rangers are based on its grounds.

“That’s the name and Fort Bragg it shall always remain,” said the president. 

Among those Trump said are similarly set to see a return to their initial titles are Fort Pickett in Virginia, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Gordon in Georgia, Fort Rucker in Alabama, Fort Polk in Louisiana, Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia and Fort Robert E. Lee, also in Virginia and originally named for the seniormost Confederate general during the Civil War.

“We won a lot of battles out of those forts, it’s no time to change,” Trump said. “And I’m superstitious, you know? I like to keep it going.” 

The commemoration of the Army’s 250th anniversary is meant to set the stage for the military parade Trump is planning in Washington to celebrate on Saturday, the same day as the president’s own birthday. Tanks and other vehicles will roll down streets in the nation’s capital for the event, which the Army projects will have a price tag of between $25 and $45 million before security and clean up costs. 

“Saturday is going to be a big day in Washington, D.C.,” Trump said. “You know, a lot of people said ‘We don't want to do that.’ I say ‘Yeah, we do.’”

Before leaving the White House for North Carolina on Tuesday, Trump sent out a warning from the Oval Office to anyone considering protesting the parade this weekend. 

“By the way, for those people that want to protest, they're going to be met with very big force,” Trump said, not clarifying if he meant violent protests or those in any form. “And I haven't even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country.” 

The president also used his remarks at Fort Bragg to tout his plan to build a missile defense system above American, which he calls the Golden Dome, as well as what he said was his administration’s efforts to restore “the spirit of the U.S. Armed forces. He pointed to his moves to crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

Last week, the Army announced it reached its annual recruiting goal four months ahead of schedule, having successfully signed contracts with more than 61,000 future service members this fiscal year.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll attended Tuesday's event, along with service members, veterans and their families.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.