Most Republican lawmakers plan to skip the military parade in DC this weekend to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump’s 79th birthday.
Politico surveyed 50 GOP lawmakers and found that only seven planned to stay in Washington DC for the controversial event. Among those who will not be in attendance are Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) the Republican chairs of the Senate and House Armed congressional committees which oversees the military.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Majority Whip Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), House Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) and House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) are also skipping the event.
Other notable absences will be veteran Sens. Todd Young of Indiana, Rick Scott of Florida and Tim Sheehy of Montana. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he won’t attend but suggested he might change his mind. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Brian Mast (R-Fla.), another veteran, said he’s not sure whether he’ll attend.
Still, some of Trump’s most devout followers in the House say they will attend the event.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) confirmed to Politico that she will be there, as did Reps. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), Corey Mills (R-FL), John McGuire (R-VA) and Lisa McLain (R-MI),
The White House dismissed lawmakers’ absences telling Politico that Cabinet secretaries, including former Fox News host turn Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and top military officials will be there.
“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 spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement.
