President Donald Trump’s military parade in honor of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary has received a mix of reactions and lukewarm responses from Capitol Hill Republicans.
Despite the anticipated grandeur of the event, many Republicans are opting out and will be absent from the parade on Saturday, as per reports.
A survey of 50 lawmakers by Politico found that only seven had plans to attend the event this weekend.
House GOP Whip Tom Emmer told the Daily Mail in a sit-down interview Wednesday that lawmakers are eager to spend Father’s Day with their families.
One such Republican, Emmer, mentioned that he will likely miss the parade due to a prior commitment to attend his four-year-old grandson’s final flag football game, especially with Father’s Day falling on the same weekend.
‘But I’d love to, if it was on a different day,’ the number two House Republican told the Daily Mail. ‘I’d love to join him, and I still may.’
The 250th anniversary celebration is set to include a parade of military vehicles like tanks and fighter jets; 250 Americans are also expected to enroll in the armed forces during the spectacle.
Warplanes old and new will fly overhead as Trump is expected to watch from a special tent outfitted for his staff and guests directly along the parade’s route.
Saturday, which is Flag Day, also happens to be Trump’s 79th birthday, though he denies that the celebration will be for him. ‘It is my birthday – but I’m not celebrating my birthday,’ the Republican stressed this week.
Soldiers tend to Stryker armored vehicles ahead of the upcoming U.S. Army 250th anniversary celebration parade in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 11, 2025
President Donald Trump’s birthday is on Saturday, which is also the same day as the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade in Washington, D.C. The Republican is expected to attend the festivities over the weekend, though many GOP lawmakers are not planning on going
The number two House Republican, Whip Tom Emmer, told the Daily Mail that GOP members are likely missing due to family travel for Father’s Day on Sunday. He shared that he was invited, but he will instead be spending time with his grandson
Emmer noted that he and GOP leadership were invited to the event, though he was unsure what other members of Congress were invited.
‘I don’t know who else was actually invited to be with the president,’ he said, noting how there’s 220 House GOP lawmakers.
Emmer still predicted ‘the president is going to have a ball.’
MAGA lawmakers close to the president who plan on attending include Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and Florida Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills.
Reps. John McGuire of Virginia, Rich McCormick of Georgia and Lisa McClain of Michigan will also attend, Politico reports.
Though not all Republicans are over the moon about the military parade.
Aides for Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters the Republican leader will be out of town for the parade
A U.S. Army reviewing stand continues to be built in front of the White House ahead of the Army’s 250th birthday parade and celebration on June 11
A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is parked on display across from the Smithsonian Natural History Museum on the National Mall on June 11, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
‘Never been a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers in big tanks and missiles rolling down the street,’ Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told reporters Tuesday. ‘I wouldn’t have done it.
‘We were always different than the images you saw of the Soviet Union and North Korea. We were proud not to be that … but I’m worried about the image that it isn’t necessarily the best image to show.’
Following his critique, Paul told CNN the White House disinvited him to Thursday’s congressional picnic, sneering at administration officials for their “petty vindictiveness.”
U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll testified before Congress last week that the event will cost between $25 – $40 million.
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., similarly said, ‘I wouldn’t spend the money if it were me.’
‘The United States of America is the most powerful country in all of human history,’ he continued. ‘We’re a lion, and a lion doesn’t have to tell you it’s a lion. Everybody else in the jungle knows, and we’re a lion.’
‘I would save the money, but if the president wants to have a parade, he’s the president, and I’m not,’ Kennedy said Tuesday.
