Fact Check: US military vets protest ICE, warn of civil war? No, video is from a 2023 meet
A video of US military veterans is being circulated with the claim that it shows recent protests against US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and ICE deployments.
By - M Ramesh Naik
Claim:The video shows US military veterans in 2026 declaring loyalty to the Constitution and warning that the use of ICE as a ‘private army’ for mass deportations could lead to civil war.
Fact:The claim is false. The video is from June 2023 and was recorded during the annual national conference of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It is not a protest or political statement related to ICE, deportations or US President Trump.
Hyderabad: Early 2026 started amid heated debates over US President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, including expanded ICE operations and reports of protests in some US cities.
In this context, a video of US military veterans has resurfaced on social media.
The footage shows around 200 people wearing black-and-yellow vests standing inside a hall and reciting an oath affirming allegiance to the US Constitution. Social media posts claim the visuals show veterans uniting in protest, warning that the use of ICE as a ‘private army’ for deportations could trigger a civil war.
An X user shared the video with the caption, “We are bound only to the Constitution, not to individuals. Former American soldiers who came to the streets and condemned it. Chants saying that if Trump uses his private army called ICE, a civil war will break out in the country.” (Translated from Telugu) (Archive)
Fact Check
NewsMeter found that the claim is false. The video is from June 2023 and was recorded during the annual national conference of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
It shows a routine ceremonial oath recitation, not a protest or political statement related to ICE, deportations or US President Trump.
Does the video show a protest against ICE?
A reverse image and video search traced the footage to June 2023. The same video was shared on TikTok on June 13, 2023, by an account associated with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA). NewsMeter accessed the TikTok video using a VPN.
It was also shared on X the following day and the caption also attributed the event in the video to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association taking the Pledge of Allegiance.
Further keyword searches led us to the same clip on Instagram with the caption, “This is what it’s all about. Opening of the 2023 National Convention of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® June 10, 2023. Held this year at the Colorado Springs Event Centre.”
The post credits the original video to a CVMA-affiliated user.
We also found the event mentioned in an article by AFP, which stated that the video is a non-political event from 2023 and not related to Trump.
A CVMA spokesperson told AFP in late 2023 that ‘the purpose of these meetings, which occur once a year, is to carry out the business of the association.’ They emphasised that CVMA is apolitical and does not participate in political events, rallies, fundraising for political causes or activism of any kind.
The visuals are from the opening ceremony of the 2023 CVMA National Convention, held in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
What is CVMA?
CVMA is a non-profit organisation registered under 501(c)(19), comprising combat veterans who ride motorcycles. The group focuses on veteran support, charity work and fellowship. Members are seen wearing CVMA-branded vests while taking part in a standard ceremonial pledge to the flag and the Constitution—an apolitical ritual commonly held at the association’s gatherings.
The social media posts falsely link this 2023 footage to alleged protests or warnings of civil war over ICE actions in 2026.
An old video from a 2023 veterans’ conference is being misrepresented as evidence of recent protests against immigration policies, giving it a false political spin.
The claim is false.
