Interesting story on Politico just now: Most GOP lawmakers plan to skip Trump’s big parade:
Among the 50 GOP lawmakers surveyed by POLITICO, only seven said they planned to stay in Washington this weekend for the festivities. Those begging off include members of the Republican leadership in both chambers.
The chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services committees, the top congressional officials overseeing the military, are skipping Trump’s pageantry, which includes a flyover of vintage and contemporary warplanes. Instead, they’ll attend a different air show — the annual defense industry confab in Paris.
(Most may be an exaggeration, but hey, it’s not my headline.) Well, it was too much to hope they’d be attending one of the No Kings rallies that day. Still, some found other reasons:
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Majority Whip John Barrasso are skipping, as is House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he’ll be back in Alabama campaigning for governor. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin said it’s his anniversary, and “I choose to be married.” Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee said the event conflicts with his daughter’s 18th birthday.
And some just can’t be bothered:
Among those skipping are several military veterans and members of the two Armed Services panels. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a former Air Force reservist, said Tuesday he’s not planning to attend, though he left open the possibility. Other senators who have served in the military and are planning to sit out the celebration include Sens. Todd Young of Indiana, Rick Scott of Florida and Tim Sheehy of Montana.
The Speaker did not respond to an inquiry about whether he would show up.
Politico says “The White House is shrugging off the absences.” But given that this is Trump’s 250th birthday celebration (oh, excuse me, I meant the army’s), I think he will take note of those who skipped his party. Though I suppose they can always blame the weather — Cloudy skies during the morning hours followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 82F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. (Prior link was for wrong day.) (Unless Trump threatens NOAA again, that is.)
Other media are reporting in harsher terms. UK Independent: GOP senators break ranks on Trump’s military parade - one compares it to North Korea. That would Sen. Rand Paul:
The Kentucky fiscal hawk told reporters in Washington, D.C. Tuesday that he’s “never been a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers in big tanks and missiles rolling down the street. So if you asked me, I wouldn't have done it,” Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin reported on X.
Does this count as the sort of “protest” Trump threatened to respond to with "very heavy force"? Which Republican will be the first to become a leopard entree?
