President Donald Trump’s much-anticipated military parade for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary is turning heads—but not all for the right reasons.
The Daily Mail reported that while the event promises tanks, jets, and patriotic fanfare in Washington, D.C., many Republican lawmakers are opting out, citing family commitments over the Father’s Day weekend, even as criticism grows over the parade’s optics and cost.
Preparations are in full swing, with soldiers polishing Stryker armored vehicles and an AH-64 Apache helicopter on display near the National Mall earlier this week.
Despite the grandeur of warplanes and military might set for Saturday’s spectacle, a Politico survey of 50 lawmakers revealed only seven plan to attend.
House GOP Whip Tom Emmer, the number two Republican in the House, explained to the Daily Mail that family trumps duty this weekend. “I’ve got a grandson’s flag football game,” he said, prioritizing Father’s Day plans.
Emmer added he’d love to join if the timing were different, a sentiment that hints at support for Trump but underscores the clash with personal priorities.
Saturday isn’t just Flag Day or the Army’s milestone—it’s also Trump’s 79th birthday, though he insists the celebration isn’t about him.
“It is my birthday – but I’m not celebrating my birthday,” Trump clarified this week, aiming to keep the focus on the military. Still, one wonders if the special viewing tent for him and his guests might steal a bit of the spotlight.
The parade will feature military vehicles rolling through the capital, flyovers of vintage and modern warplanes, and even 250 new enlistments during the event—a powerful display of American strength.
While Trump is expected to enjoy the view, some loyal MAGA lawmakers like Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and Florida Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills will be there to cheer on the troops.
Reps. John McGuire of Virginia, Rich McCormick of Georgia, and Lisa McClain of Michigan are also confirmed attendees, per Politico, showing at least some GOP support. Emmer, ever optimistic, predicted Trump would “have a ball” regardless of the turnout.
Yet, heavyweights like Speaker Mike Johnson won’t be in town, with aides confirming his absence, and Emmer himself noted uncertainty about which of the 220 House GOP members even received invites.
Not all Republicans are waving the flag for this event, with some voicing unease about its image and expense. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky didn’t mince words, telling reporters, “Never been a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers.”
Paul worries it evokes authoritarian displays seen in places like the former Soviet Union, cautioning that America’s strength doesn’t need such theatrics—a jab at what he sees as unnecessary posturing.
Meanwhile, Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana questioned the price tag, estimated by U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll at $25 to $40 million, saying he’d “save the money.”
Kennedy’s quip that America is a “lion” that doesn’t need to roar sums up a conservative hesitance to flaunt power when fiscal restraint could speak louder.
With Paul even claiming the White House uninvited him to a congressional picnic after his critique, it seems dissent carries a petty price. Well, turns out speaking your mind can cost you a seat at the picnic table.