President Donald Trump spoke before thousands of people on Tuesday at Fort Bragg after observing a military show of force.

Trump discussed several topics during his speech, including the ongoing immigration protests in Los Angeles.

Veterans, people attending Tuesday's event reflect on Army's 250th birthday, Trump's visit to Fort Bragg

U.S. Army veteran Ginger Kleinsorge, who served for 20 years, was among those who attended the event. It came before the Army’s 250th birthday on Saturday.

“It just felt right, and I’ve been dying to see the president and [Secretary of Defense] Pete Hegseth,” Kleinsorge said.

Kleinsorge explained what it was like to be back at Fort Bragg.

“[I’m] jealous,” Kleinsorge said. “You miss it when you leave. I mean, it’s a different world on the outside, and you miss the camaraderie. You miss taking care of the soldiers.”

Amber Simonetti came from Hawaii to attend Tuesday’s event.

“[It] means so much and we’re so thankful for freedoms we have today and the sacrifice and service of all of those who served in past and for our future and one day, the next future,” Simonetti said.

Sgt. Gerard Falls, an 82nd Airborne veteran, said the Army brings together people from all walks of life. But he was not a fan of Trump's celebration on Tuesday.

“The United States military exists to selflessly defend the Constitution of the United States of America, not to assist the preservation of one selfish man’s ego who would turn us against each other for his own personal preservation and enrichment,” Falls said.

NC Democrats discuss concerns about President Trump before his visit to Fort Bragg

North Carolina Democrats, veterans and military families gathered Tuesday in Fayetteville hours before the president's arrival to speak out against federal cuts and how they have affected veterans.

Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, and other speakers expressed concern about "substantial" cuts to the Department of Veteran Affairs and cuts to the toxic exposure fund, which cares for veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic substances during the time they served our country.

"The VA cuts will delay and deny them access to critical care, including for service-connected disabilities," Clayton said. "This diminished access will almost certainly contribute to staggering rates of veteran homelessness, suicide and addiction, leaving veterans and their families to pick up the pieces alone.

Clayton said as of May 2024, that 45,000 of North Carolina veterans had claims related to toxic exposures and without the funds, they may not get help they deserve.

“Cutting the VA violates the sacred promise that we've made to our veterans, a promise to take care of those who have sacrificed for us. that broken promise hurts all North Carolinians, especially our veterans," Clayton said.

Dr. Vikki Andrews, the veterans and military caucus chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, also spoke Tuesday.

“The way this administration governs, seemingly by executive order at a dizzying pace, is breathtaking,” Andrews said.

Andrews discussed about Trump’s deployment of thousands of military personnel to address immigration protests in Los Angeles. She contrasted it to Trump’s delay in deploying troops during the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. Andrews also talked about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detaining people and the mass firing of public sector employees.

“Active-duty troops are being used in ways that feels dangerously close to policing our citizens,” Andrews said. “That’s not what they signed up for.”

A reporter asked Andrews and Clayton what they want to hear from Trump on Tuesday.

“I don’t care what he says,” Andrews said. “He’s not truthful.”

“His actions prove more than his words,” Clayton said.

Kimberly Hardy, a social worker and vice chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, also spoke about federal cuts to SNAP and Medicare.

"We know that the whole family serves, which means the whole family deserves the benefits that they were promised and that help keep their families going," Hardy said. "It isn't always material support, just SNAP and and Medicaid, but it's also other things like access to mental health care resources. As a social worker, I know how vital it is that veterans have access to mental health care."

Military parade planned for Saturday in Washington, D.C., for Army’s 250th birthday

Tuesday's events come ahead of a military parade planned for Saturday in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday. About 130 vehicles and more than 7,000 soldiers are expected to march in Saturday’s parade, which will cost an estimated $45 million.

Fort Bragg troops and equipment will participate in Saturday’s event as well. Saturday is also Trump’s 79th birthday.

"It's politicizing our armed forces in a way that I don't think we've seen a former president do, at least to this extent,” Clayton said. “It's a lavish birthday party that he's throwing for himself, to the point that Dr. Andrews made earlier, I don't think he cares about anyone but himself."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

President Trump discusses immigration protests in Fort Bragg speech: 'We will liberate Los Angeles'

Veterans, people attending Tuesday's event reflect on Army's 250th birthday, Trump's visit to Fort Bragg

NC Democrats discuss concerns about President Trump before his visit to Fort Bragg

Military parade planned for Saturday in Washington, D.C., for Army’s 250th birthday