NC Democrats speak out ahead of President Trump's visit, remarks at Fort Bragg

President Donald Trump will visit Fort Bragg on Tuesday to talk with thousands of soldiers and get a first-hand look at a powerful display of force.

Trump is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, and his remarks are open to the public for those who can access the installation. Those who can’t be there in person can watch the speech on FOX 50 and everywhere you stream WRAL.

The president is expected to depart Joint Base Andrews at 12:30 p.m., arriving at Fort Bragg by 2 p.m. to observe a military demonstration. That demonstration will not be open to the public. He will then speak at 4 p.m.

On Tuesday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social, "Will be going to Fort Bragg today. Big speech, amazing crowd! See you later!!! DJT."

Tuesday’s event is also expected to feature patriotic musical performances along with a celebration honoring past and present service members. There will be a flyover, a Golden Knights jump, family-friendly activities and more.

North Carolina Democrats, veterans and military families gathered 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.

Kimberly Hardy, a social worker and vice chair of the NC 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."

Parking and gate information

All visitors on Tuesday must park in the designated lots in the Army's parking guide and take a shuttle to Pike Field.

Shuttles to Pike Field start at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Event gates open at 10:30 a.m.

The Army asks to allow extra time for parking, transport and security checks at Pike Field.

Fort Bragg will release non-essential employees at noon Tuesday

Fort Bragg leaders will release all non-essential employees at noon Tuesday. All Child Development Centers will remain open to support soldiers and families who are supporting or attending the Army’s 250th birthday celebration on the installation.

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 that event as well. Saturday is Trump's 79th birthday. 

Fort Bragg name returns

Fort Bragg officially returned to its original name on March 7, though it is now named for a different Bragg — Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, who was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for his heroic actions while serving in the Army during World War II.

The post was originally named for Braxton Bragg, a Confederate general. It was called Fort Bragg from 1922 to 2023, when the name was changed to Fort Liberty in 2023 as part of a push to strip Confederates from U.S. military installations.

“There’s some very famous movies that reference ‘Bragg,’” said Dr. Josh McConkey, a U.S. Army veteran and an Air Force Reserve member. “You don’t even have to attach ‘Fort’ to that.

“If you say the word ‘Bragg,’ everyone knows what you mean.”

McConkey, who served in the military for nine years, said Fort Bragg represents the best of the Army.

“When you talk about hosting this event right here at Fort Bragg, it really shows in the national security picture, and with the Army in general, the importance of that base right here in North Carolina, the president of the United States is flying out here, and I think it's pretty special for North Carolina,” McConkey said.

Trump had spoken about the post's name in 2024 while campaigning in Fayetteville.

"I walked in, the first question that I asked - 'should we change the name from Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg," Trump said on Oct. 4, 2024.

“So, here's what we do: We get elected, I’m doing it,” he told the crowd at Crown Arena.

Trump won North Carolina’s electoral votes in the last three elections.

Last weekend, Republicans elected Trump’s pick, Jason Simmons, as the NCGOP chair.

“I would fully anticipate and expect that President Trump will once again have that economy roaring,” Simmons said.

It will be Trump’s second trip to North Carolina this year. Trump visited western North Carolina just days after his inauguration in January to speak about the area's recovery from Hurricane Helene.