Radio Atlantic Episode Summary: "The Real Problem With Trump's Parade"
Release Date: June 13, 2025
In this compelling episode of Radio Atlantic, host Hanna Rosen delves into the intricate interplay between politics and military symbolism surrounding former President Donald Trump's recent actions. Featuring an insightful conversation with Tom Nichols, a staff writer for The Atlantic and a seasoned educator at the US Naval War College, the episode dissects the implications of Trump's orchestrated military parade and the deployment of troops to Los Angeles.
Trump's Military Parade: A Strategic Display
The episode opens with a vivid description of Trump's military parade, held at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, juxtaposed against the backdrop of active-duty soldiers. Hanna Rosen sets the scene:
Hanna Rosen [00:07]: "The day after the Trump administration mobilized 700 Marines to respond to immigration protests in Los Angeles, and four days before his military parade in the nation's capital, President Trump walked out on stage to Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA, and boasted about the crowd size."
Trump's boastful remarks highlight his characteristic playbook:
Donald Trump [00:30]: "It's a record crowd. You know, you never, you never had a crowd this big... Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm wrong."
Rosen points out the predictability of Trump's tactics, including crowd size bragging and media disparagement.
Analyzing the Symbolism with Tom Nichols
Bringing depth to the discussion, Tom Nichols provides a critical analysis of the parade's significance:
Tom Nichols [02:58]: "Trump has wanted this kind of parade, and this is what he thinks the military does, is throw parades for the commander in chief... These are my guys, my army... what it looks like in Los Angeles."
Nichols emphasizes that the parade is not merely ceremonial but a deliberate display of power intertwined with Trump's personal branding. He explains that such actions politicize the military, eroding the traditional non-partisan stance it upholds.
The Politicization of the Military
Nichols further explores the dangers of merging military presence with political agendas:
Tom Nichols [05:05]: "He just stood up there in a completely partisan mode... remember, he wanted to do this. He was aching to do this kind of stuff during the 2020 protests... He's creating a second kind of symbolism here of, I'm the president, I'm the commander in chief."
This merging blurs the lines between military authority and civilian governance, potentially positioning the military as an independent political actor rather than a protector of national security.
Engineering a Crisis: LA Deployments
The episode scrutinizes Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard and troops to Los Angeles amid protests against ICE raids, despite Governor Gavin Newsom's assurances that local police could handle the situation.
Tom Nichols [10:15]: "Specifically to show that Gavin Newsom is not in charge... all power in this country belongs to me, Donald Trump."
Nichols suggests that this move is a calculated effort to assert dominance and undermine state authority, signaling that Trump's influence supersedes elected local governments.
Symbolism and Authoritarian Tendencies
The discussion highlights how Trump's actions may be engineering a narrative that fosters an appetite for authoritarian measures:
Tom Nichols [13:30]: "Trump has a great instinct for theater... He has a great instinct for what will trigger his opponents."
The deployment of military forces in metropolitan areas serves as a theatrical display, creating a semblance of crisis that legitimizes further authoritarian interventions.
Countering Authoritarianism: Strategies and Solutions
In addressing the rising authoritarian tendencies, Tom Nichols offers actionable strategies for listeners:
Tom Nichols [15:38]: "You can register people to vote. You can donate to organizations that are fighting this in court... the founders were great believers in stoicism."
He emphasizes the importance of voter engagement, legal challenges, and judicial support as bulwarks against the erosion of democratic norms.
Conclusion: Preserving Democratic Integrity
The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to remain vigilant and proactive in defending the principles of democracy. By dissecting Trump's use of military symbolism and potential authoritarian maneuvers, Rosen and Nichols underscore the critical need for public awareness and institutional resilience to maintain the balance of power and prevent the militarization of politics.
Notable Quotes:
- Donald Trump [00:30]: "It's a record crowd. You know, you never, you never had a crowd this big... Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm wrong."
- Tom Nichols [02:58]: "Trump has wanted this kind of parade, and this is what he thinks the military does, is throw parades for the commander in chief."
- Tom Nichols [10:15]: "Specifically to show that Gavin Newsom is not in charge... all power in this country belongs to me, Donald Trump."
- Tom Nichols [15:38]: "You can register people to vote. You can donate to organizations that are fighting this in court... the founders were great believers in stoicism."
Production Credits:
This episode of Radio Atlantic was produced by Janae West and Rosie Hughes, edited by Claudina Baid, and engineered by Rob Smirciak. Claudina Baid serves as the executive producer of Atlantic Audio, and Andrea Valdez is the managing editor.
For more insightful discussions and to support Atlantic journalists, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to The Atlantic.
This summary captures the essence of the "The Real Problem With Trump's Parade" episode, highlighting the key discussions, analyses, and conclusions presented by Hanna Rosen and Tom Nichols.