The White House tries to clarify Trump’s call to use the ‘heavy force’ on ‘any’ military parade protester

On Wednesday, the White House tried to clarify the threat of President Donald Trump the day before to use the “heavy force” against “any manifestant in the military parade this weekend in Washington celebrating the 250th anniversary of the army.

“The president supports peaceful protests,” said press secretary Karoline Leavitt to journalists at a White House conference after Trump on Tuesday did not distinguish between peaceful and violent protesters.

“He supports the first amendment. He supports the right of Americans to be heard of his voices,” he added, after Trump would allow him in the parade given his military response to protests against their immigration policies in Los Angeles. “It does not support the violence of any kind. It does not support to assault the law agents who are simply trying to do their job.”

“It is very clear to the president what he supports and what he does not do,” he said. “Unfortunately for the Democrats, that line has not been clarified, and have allowed this discomfort in this violence to continue, and the president has had to intervene.”

The president’s comments on Tuesday said the protesters “would find the heavy force” if they arrived in Washington for the parade, which occurs days after sending the National Guard and the Marines to Los Angeles to quell the protests against the operations carried out by the application of immigration and customs of the United States.

“These are people who hate our country,” he said in the Oval office.

“We are going to celebrate Big on Saturday,” Trump added. “If any protester wants to go out, they will find great force.”

The Secret Service of the United States and local DC officials have said that only several small protests in Saturday’s parade, and Trump himself, Tuesday night seemed to soften their previous comments from the Oval office, saying: “While we have the army there, the protests will mean nothing.”

“The military will be a very heavy force, very proud to tell you that,” he told reporters that they asked what he meant. “They could also turn around. They are wasting their time.”

A high fence has been established and other security measures have been taken around Washington in the period prior to the parade; The measures that the White House said they are purely “proactive” and are not reaction to protests in Los Angeles.

“These are proactive security measures to protect those who march in the parade, many of whom will be veterans, and our brave men and women in families of gold uniforms and stars,” Leavitt said. “And, of course, it is to protect the spectators who will enjoy this incredibly patriotic show on Saturday.”

Leavitt’s comments occurred when the first soldiers arrive at the district for the parade.

Approximately 6,700 soldiers will participate, and there will be eight music bands, 24 horses, two mules and a dog.

Dozens of tanks, military vehicles, obuses and several aircraft, including those used in World War II and the wars of Korea and Vietnam, will be on display, and the army added on Wednesday launches of rocket and missile launches guided by precision to the festivities.

The White House also made a last minute request for the Air Force Thunderbirds to fly on the parade, according to an American official.

The event has grown considerably in size in recent months, with an added parade after the inauguration of Trump.

The White House did not respond to a request for comments.

Anne Flaherty of ABC News contributed to this report.