A military parade featuring tanks and aircraft flyovers will not be attended by a raft of GOP lawmakers, with most returning to their home states for the Army’s 250th anniversary.
In interviews with around a dozen congressional Republicans, none indicated plans to attend the Saturday military parade, which coincides with President Donald Trump‘s 79th birthday. The offices of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and other GOP leaders also confirmed they will depart Washington at the end of the congressional workweek.
In a statement, a spokesperson said Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) “will be celebrating with the great people of Wyoming.”
Trump, who is drawn to displays of pomp and military might, decided to supersize the event upon taking office. Modest preparations that began under the Biden administration now have a $25 million to $40 million price tag.
The parade route, which stretches from the Pentagon to the National Mall, will feature some 6,000 soldiers and more than 150 military vehicles, with Revolutionary and WWII-era equipment being transported to Washington in recent days.
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Several House Republicans with close ties to Trump will be sticking around for the spectacle, according to Politico. That list includes Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
A White House official told the Washington Examiner that senior military leaders and at least 15 Cabinet members, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, will also attend.
However, the top Republicans on the House and Senate Armed Services committees will not be in Washington. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) will instead be in Europe attending the Paris Air Show, held annually to feature the latest aviation technology.
“I will be out of town,” Wicker told the Washington Examiner, adding that he is “reluctantly” traveling to France at the request of his state’s governor.
Wicker had advised against the parade after learning of its price tag in a congressional hearing, while other Republicans have openly expressed concern that it is too extravagant.
“I’m not really that excited about $40 million for a parade. I don’t really think the symbolism of tanks and missiles is really what we’re all about,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said.
“What countries do you think of?” Paul added. “My first images are of the Soviet Union and North Korea.”
“I don’t think it’s the best use of our tax dollars,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY).
On the Democratic side of the aisle, lawmakers have alleged the parade is a vanity project given that it falls on Trump’s birthday. A senior Republican leadership aide cautioned against viewing the GOP absences as a snub of the president.
The White House and military leaders have defended the event as a recruitment tool, while Trump has said it costs “peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”
“President Trump looks forward to a historic crowd at the Army Birthday Parade, where he will be joined by top military leaders, administration officials, congressional representatives, and most importantly, thousands of patriotic Americans to celebrate 250 years of honor, courage, and sacrifice by our United States military,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SECURITY AT ARMY’S 250TH CELEBRATION IN DC
The sheer weight of the military tanks that will be used in the parade could harm the roads of the parade route, though the military plans to lay down metal plates to mitigate the damage and has offered to pay for any repairs.
Rain is forecasted for the day of the parade, but the Secret Service has been preparing for hundreds of thousands of attendees.