Next Saturday, June 14, President Donald Trump will turn 79 years old, and his birthday will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army. But the military parade Trump has planned next Saturday is now being panned by senators from his own party.
Politico reported Thursday that Trump's military parade has turned off several Senate Republicans, who are now complaining about the significant cost of the event. After Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) learned that the parade would cost anywhere from $25 million to $40 million, he said he "would have recommended against" the idea. He added, however, that he wouldn't rule out the benefit of a potential recruiting boost
"I’m glad that we’re honoring the Army. I think that’s really important to recognize such a significant anniversary,” Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told Politico. However, she observed that “the cost does seem a bit steep.”
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"If it costs money, I won't go," said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.)
The parade is expected to feature 6,600 troops from every active-duty division in the military who will be housed in various vacant buildings in the nation's capital leading up to the event, who will all get three meals a day and a $69 per diem for miscellaneous expenses. And they'll be dressed in official uniforms for every major U.S. conflict, from the Revolutionary War through the present day.
Additionally, the Army is expected to have 25 M1 Abrams main battle tanks and 150 other vehicles roll through the streets of Washington D.C. Military leaders have said they aim to minimize the impact on D.C. infrastructure by placing heavy metal plates in the streets at key intersections. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who is a Purple Heart veteran, heavily criticized the idea of a military parade while acknowledging the significance of the date. She suggested the money being allocated toward the parade instead go toward funding troops' child care costs and tuition reimbursement.
“Let’s be clear: You’re not doing it to celebrate the Army’s birthday, you’re doing it to stroke Donald Trump’s ego,” Duckworth said. “There are lots of ways to celebrate the Army’s birthday without blowing it all on a parade.”
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Click here to read Politico's report in full.