Supporters of President Trump in Republican strongholds across the country are preparing to celebrate his birthday and the 250th anniversary of the Army on Saturday, the same day thousands of protesters will demonstrate against what they see as authoritarian actions by the president’s administration.
The striking juxtaposition follows several days of protests against federal immigration raids in major cities, including Los Angeles, where Mr. Trump’s deployment of the California National Guard and the Marines fueled further civil unrest and a legal battle between a Democratic governor and the president.
The contrast also exemplifies the wide-ranging views Americans have about the military parade Mr. Trump has planned for Saturday, which coincides with his 79th birthday. Plans for the multimillion-dollar bash in Washington include 150 military vehicles that will roll through the streets and a fireworks finale to illuminate the National Mall.
That event is an important show of patriotism and a chance to elevate the profile of the Army, said Steve Holm, who said he rented an arena in Cedar City, Utah, where friends and community members will commemorate Mr. Trump’s birthday and the military on Saturday. Mr. Holm said he identified as an independent but voted for Mr. Trump in November. He cited a few reasons: He said he was against abortion, liked Mr. Trump’s border policies and aligned with his “merit-based mind-set.”
“The military needs to be brought out into the light a little bit more,” Mr. Holm said. “We’ve spent a lot of years forgetting how important the military is to our freedom.”
Mr. Holm, a real-estate broker, said he anticipated hundreds of people will attend his event, which is free. He said he planned to distribute American flags, though he also worried about anti-Trump protests causing disruption and chaos. In a Facebook post, he urged attendees to maintain civility and respect those with different views.
In southeast Missouri, multiple convoys of Trump supporters will caravan to a gathering spot in Poplar Bluff for food, music and festivities Saturday morning. The group will sign a giant birthday card for the president, said Lori Brotherton, one of the event organizers.
Ms. Brotherton said she was aware of anti-Trump protests planned nearby but hopes to maintain peace.
“We won’t bother them,” she said, “so I hope they don’t bother us.”
Across the country, some 2,000 demonstrations have been planned for Saturday morning and early afternoon under the slogan “No Kings.” Organizers of those events, which were being planned before this week’s protests in Los Angeles unfolded, liken the parade in Washington to military marches hosted by dictators abroad.
Some Army officials and veterans groups have also expressed concerns that Saturday’s events could erode trust in the military. Some veterans groups have declined to take part in the event. One said it “was being conflated with Trump’s birthday.”
But other Americans see the event differently. Addie Baird, chair of the Bell County Republican Party in Texas, said she planned to watch the livestream of the parade. Ms. Baird also put out a news release urging constituents to honor and thank veterans.
“As others focus on division or attention-seeking protests,” Ms. Baird wrote, “we choose to shine a light on what is good, noble, and worth celebrating.”
Pooja Salhotra covers breaking news across the United States.
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