Police Arrest Around 60 Veterans and Military Families Protesting Outside the U.S. Capitol
Protesters are detained after breaking through barrier fencing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 13, 2025.
On Friday evening, around 60 protesters — mostly veterans and military family members — were arrested outside the U.S. Capitol after they crossed a police barrier and moved toward the Capitol Rotunda steps, according to Capitol Police.
The group had gathered to peacefully protest President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and active-duty Marines in Los Angeles in response to immigration-related demonstrations. They were also opposing the military parade scheduled for Saturday, which coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
According to organizers, the group had planned a peaceful sit-in on the Capitol steps to draw attention to their concerns.
Earlier, about 75 protesters had been demonstrating calmly outside the U.S. Supreme Court, located just across the street from the Capitol. As they were leaving, police began setting up bike rack barricades to prevent access to the Capitol area.
However, things escalated when a few people pushed through the barricades and rushed toward the steps. Capitol Police quickly intervened and began making arrests.
Officials said that all of those arrested will be charged with unlawful demonstration and crossing a police line, and that some may also face charges for assaulting officers and resisting arrest.
The protest was organized by About Face: Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace, two veteran-led advocacy groups. The sit-in followed a rally and press conference.
“We want a future where we invest in caring for veterans — in health care and education — not in spending $50 million on a parade,” said Brittany Ramos DeBarros, an Army combat veteran and the organizing director of About Face.
These arrests come just one day before Washington, D.C. is set to host one of its largest events this summer: the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday celebration and a grand military parade. The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of attendees and will showcase tanks, aircraft, troops, and military hardware — with an estimated cost of $45 million.
The U.S. Secret Service is in charge of security, with extensive preparations in place. That includes:
- 18 miles of anti-climb fencing
- Thousands of law enforcement officers
- Surveillance drones
- Counter-sniper teams, and more.
Matt McCool, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Office, told CNN that law enforcement is closely monitoring protests in L.A. and across the country, and has contingency plans in place for any large demonstrations that might take place on Saturday.
As of Friday night, however, no credible threats had been identified against the parade or related events.
