Politics > WTF is going on?
US Army Chorus Sings in Protest at Governor’s Ball 2025
I’m not on Facebook much these days, but I want to contact a friend whom I usually contact through messenger and he was supposed to send me his phone number. So I went on FB to do a little checkeroo, and up pops a video of the US Army Chorus, performing at the Governor’s Ball at the White House. I had a minute… ::click play::
I’m so glad I did. The choir’s performance of Do You Hear the People Sing brought tears to my eyes. Like many others who were watching the video in their homes and from their devices, I knew what the singers were doing. They were protesting.
It was the most beautiful protest I’ve ever seen. (I might be a little hyperbolic, but whatever.) The military, singing in glorious voices, surrounding our nation’s leaders, singing about the angry men and women who will not be slaves again. Asking them to listen to the beating of their hearts and stand with them. Us.
Why did the US Army Chorus sing Les Mis song at the Governor’s Ball?
Good question.
Many other YouTubers had uploaded the video to their channels, but where was the commentary for viewers who weren’t clued in on the implied meanings of the song? I put some thoughts together and filmed this video. Keep reading for my main points.
The Governors go to the Washington
The governor’s meeting at the White House was already on my radar, after catching a clip of Trump threatening the governor of Maine for not abiding by his Executive Order. The order bans transwomen from participating in women’s sports. While your opinion on the topic is valid, I hope you can make the mental leap to overlook the topic and focus on the message. We have a president who is acting like a dictator.
The meeting (lecture) was on Friday, and on Saturday, the governors and their guests met at the White House for the annual Governor’s Ball. The event is arranged by the First Lady, but let’s be honest, she likely passed the duties off to someone on her staff. Cause we know she ‘doesn’t care.’ (And yes, we DO care.)
Is Melania part of the resistance? Being born in Slovenia and raised amist a difficult time in Eastern Europe, Melania isn’t one to voice her opinion clearly and loudly. Is she part of the resistance? Is she Trump’s handler? No one knows.
Did she choose the song with purpose, or was it presented to her as an option? Did she just like the song because it’s iconic and powerful, like her dear husband, our dear leader? So many questions, and I wish I had at least a few answers.
The Performance
During the event, the US Army Chorus enters the room and proceeds to serenade the Governors, Trump, and other guests with a dramatic performance of Do You Hear the People Sing, from the musical adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, Les Miserables.
It’s a song of immediacy and passion. About anger and hope. About joining in a crusade. That’s right. It’s a song of protest.
I really don’t know for sure that the attendees — especially Trump — realize that they’re in the middle of one of the most beautiful protests of their life. That the military is protesting the president.
Let’s talk a little more about this.
What does it mean?
Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables provides a stark portrayal of social injustices in 19th-century France, particularly the struggles of the poor and marginalized. It sheds light on issues like poverty, inequality, and the harshness of the legal system, prompting reflection on similar issues that persist in society even today.
The story provides a glimpse into a turbulent period in French history, including the French Revolution and its aftermath. It captures the spirit of the times and the struggles of people caught in the midst of social and political upheaval.
Victor Hugo doesn’t just depict the grand sweep of historical events. He focuses on the individual lives caught up in the struggle, showing the human cost of inequality and the desperation that fuels rebellion.
Les Misérables gives voice to the marginalized and oppressed, those who are often ignored in history books. We see their suffering, their hopes, and their reasons for fighting back.
The People vs The System
Hugo explores the difficult choices people face when trapped in poverty and oppression. He shows how even those who break the law can be victims of a larger, unjust system.
In the opening scene of Les Misérables, Jean Valjean, prisoner 24601, is being released from prison after serving 19 years. The key conversation is between Valjean and the prison guard, Javert.
Javert is a rigid and unforgiving figure, he embodies the law. He represents the system that has crushed the people and views others with suspicion and disdain.
Valjean, representing the people and hardened by years of unjust imprisonment, is filled with resentment and anger. He feels he has paid his debt to society, but Javert’s words make it clear that society isn’t ready to forgive or forget.
Javert hands Valjean his parole papers, which he must carry at all times. These papers mark him as a former convict, restricting his movements and employment opportunities. It’s a constant reminder of his past and a barrier to a normal life.
Javert’s words are a warning: “You are free, but you are on parole. Any infraction, and you will be returned to the galleys.” He essentially tells Valjean that he will be watched and that any slip-up will send him back to prison.
This initial encounter sets the stage for the central conflict of the story. It highlights the injustice of a system that punishes a man for stealing bread to feed his starving family and then continues to haunt him even after he has served his time.
Singing into the Revolution
Despite being set in the 19th century, the themes of Les Misérables remain relevant to contemporary society. The story’s exploration of poverty, inequality, and the human capacity for both good and evil continues to resonate with audiences across cultures and time periods.
A song might be the best way to start a revolution.
Song Lyrics
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricades
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!
Then join in the fight
For your own liberty!
Read the Book
If you aren’t familiar with the story, I implore you to read the book. Practically every major literature publisher in the world has Victor Hugo’s work in print, so you can choose which cover you think is prettiest. The original story was published in French, and many scholars have worked to create their own translations — some with commentary. You can find so many versions of the story on Amazon and other online booksellers. Of course, check out your local used bookshop for a copy, too.
There’s also the free version from Project Gutenberg. The cover on their version is pretty, too. (lol)
Watch the Film
If you aren’t familiar with the story, I implore you to read the book. Practically every major literature publisher in the world has Victor Hugo’s work in print, so you can choose which cover you think is prettiest. The original story was published in French, and many scholars have worked to create their own translations — some with commentary. You can find so many versions of the story on Amazon and other online booksellers. Of course, check out your local used bookshop for a copy, too.
There’s also the free version from Project Gutenberg. The cover on their version is pretty, too. (lol)
There’s also the free version from Project Gutenberg. The cover on their version is pretty, too. (lol)
See the Musical
Les Miserables has been performed on stages across the globe, and if you haven’t seen it, it’s about time! The songs are even more powerful in person. (And if you have seen it, why not see it again!)
Les Miserables has been performed on stages across the globe, and if you haven’t seen it, it’s about time! The songs are even more powerful in person. (And if you have seen it, why not see it again!)
Last week, in January 2025, Trump abruptly took over the Kennedy Center. Yes, the man known for his appreciation of the fine arts, decided that it was best if he were at the helm of the nation’s performing arts center. WTF? His reasoning was that the center had become too ‘woke’ and he needed to restore…um…sleepiness?
Les Miserables is currently on the program for the Kennedy Center. I hope it doesn’t suffer the same fate as other performances that have been dropped since his takeover.
For now, the show will go on as planned.
Luckily, DC is pretty big and has a few other stages that welcome performers of all kinds. But MMW (mark my words), now that Trump is directing arts in the US, The Kennedy Center will likely change names to The Trump Center by the end of the year.
Overall…
The US Army Chorus asked our state governors to figure out where they stand, asking them to stand with the people. We the people also need to stand up and make a bigger fuss. We need to make it clear that we do not want our country run into the ground by billionaires.
A song might be the best way to start a revolution.
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to check out my latest video on YouTube!
Jenny Claire is an award-winning educational materials writer, travel journalist, and food critic, formerly based in New York City and Taiwan. She calls a cute cabin in the woods of rural North Central Florida home, but lately she’s been spending most of her time cruising and traveling. She also was a secret travel critic and writer — but her lips are sealed on those details!
Living the Sunshine Life