President Trump was asked Thursday to respond to planned counterprotests that will coincide with a military parade in the nation’s capital to mark the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday.
When asked to respond to the anti-Trump “No Kings” demonstrations expected around the country, Trump quipped: “I don’t feel like a king; I have to go through hell to get stuff approved.”
“A king would say, ‘I’m not going to get this.’ A king would have never had the California mandate to even be talking, he wouldn’t have to call up [Speaker] Mike Johnson and [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune and say, ‘fellas you got to pull this off’ and after years we get it done,” he added. “No, no we’re not a king. We’re not a king at all.”
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The president was referencing a congressional resolution he had just signed that overturns a California state rule that would have phased out the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. The Biden administration approved California’s rule late last year, which is what Trump’s signature officially revokes. California has already said it would sue the Trump administration over the move.
Organizers with the No Kings movement are planning some 1,500 demonstrations in cities nationwide, excluding Washington, D.C., where the military parade is set to take place.
The parade marks the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, and it also falls on Trump’s 79th birthday. The president is expected to attend and give remarks.
Trump on Tuesday warned protesters that they would be met with “very big force” if they demonstrate at the upcoming D.C. parade. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if Trump would support having “peaceful” protesters Saturday, and she slammed the reporter over the questioning.
“Of course the president supports peaceful protests. What a stupid question,” Leavitt said.