Military member joins Anti-ICE protest, urges fellow service members to “resist evil,” and tells Trump: ‘We are not pawns’

The protest aligns with a growing wave of nationwide demonstrations triggered by the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement actions.

Why This Is Important

The incident reflects growing civil-military tensions as federal immigration crackdowns expand. Protests that initially erupted in Los Angeles in response to ICE raids and the deployment of federal forces—including National Guard troops and Marines—have rapidly spread to major metropolitan areas such as Dallas, Chicago and New York City.

While many demonstrations have remained peaceful, others have escalated into confrontations with law enforcement, involving arrests and the use of chemical agents to disperse crowds.

Despite the nationwide outcry, the Trump administration has remained defiant. Officials have confirmed that the controversial immigration raids and deportation efforts will proceed as planned.

Soldier Speaks Out

The woman, wearing a U.S. military uniform with a visible name patch labeled “Colado,” spoke in a video posted by the activist group BreakThrough News. While the video’s authenticity has not been independently verified, the footage has circulated widely on social media, sparking debate over the role of the military in domestic policy enforcement.

“We are not pawns for Donald Trump,” she declared, standing among demonstrators. “I joined this protest because Marines were deployed against American citizens. As members of the military, our oath is to defend the Constitution and serve the people—not political interests.”

She further urged current and former military personnel to reflect on their moral responsibilities.

“We have a conscience, a mind and a duty to say no. We have a moral obligation to resist evil.”

Federal Response and Escalation

In response to the unrest, President Trump has authorized the deployment of more than 4,000 National Guard troops and approximately 700 Marines to Los Angeles, despite opposition from California state officials.

While Marines have yet to be visibly deployed in the city, the National Guard presence has remained relatively limited in scope, according to reports from the Associated Press.

At a press briefing from the Oval Office, President Trump defended the military mobilization and threatened broader deployment.

“If we didn’t act strongly in Los Angeles, it would be chaos across the country. I want everyone to know—if similar disorder arises elsewhere, it will be met with the same or greater force.”

Political Reactions

California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed grave concern during an appearance on CNN, warning that the implications extend beyond state lines.

“California may be first, but it will not be the last. Other states are next. Democracy itself is under assault right before our eyes.”

In a legal countermeasure, Governor Newsom filed a motion in federal court on Tuesday seeking to block the Trump administration’s use of military force in Los Angeles, arguing it violates constitutional limits on domestic military engagement.

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Looking Ahead

Activist groups have announced plans for a series of coordinated nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, which coincides with President Trump’s birthday and a military parade scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C.

Organizers aim to use the occasion to draw further attention to the administration’s immigration policies and the controversial deployment of U.S. troops against American citizens.

Also, Pope Leo XIV has helped sell out a stadium event in Chicago with a scheduled virtual appearance on June 14—the same day as a major military parade in Washington, D.C., organized to mark the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s birthday.