Military equipment arrives in Washington for Trump's birthday parade: Even Republicans don't like the idea
The $45 million parade is scheduled for June 14 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Apparently, by pure coincidence, the date coincided with Trump's birthday, writes The Independent.
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Rand Paul has become the first Republican senator to openly oppose President Donald Trump's military parade, comparing it to events held in North Korea.
The parade, which officials estimate will cost a maximum of $45 million, is scheduled for June 14, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, but it also happens to be Trump's 79th birthday.
On the subject: White House plans big military parade for Trump's birthday: 6600 troops, 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters
The Kentucky senator, known for his budgetary frugality, told reporters in Washington on June 10 that he was "never a big fan of goose-stepping soldiers and big tanks and rockets rolling down the street. If you asked me, I wouldn't do it."
Paul assured that he did not know the exact cost of the parade, but compared the event to military parades in authoritarian states.
"We were always different from the images we saw in the Soviet Union and North Korea. We were proud that we were different. I'm not saying that's the image anyone wants to project, but I'm worried that it might not be the best image," Paul concluded.
Another Republican who advocates for cutting government spending, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, told reporters in Congress on June 10 about Trump's upcoming parade: "I wouldn't spend money on it if it were up to me."
"The United States of America is the most powerful country in the history of mankind. We are the lion, and the lion doesn't have to prove he's a lion. Everybody else in the jungle knows who he is... I would have saved that money. But if the president wants to have a parade, he's the president, not me," Kennedy said.
Other Republican senators also expressed doubts about the parade's cost, including Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Appropriations Committee Chairman Susan Collins of Maine. But their statements were less critical than those of Paul and Kennedy.
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, known for his tough stance on government spending, said flatly: "If that's what the money's going to do, I'm not coming."
The parade will feature approximately 6600 U.S. Army personnel and military equipment, including a World War II-era B-25 bomber, a P-1 fighter jet and Huey helicopters used in Vietnam.
25 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Stryker armored vehicles, and four Paladin self-propelled artillery units will also be involved.
In addition, 29 kilometers of fencing and 175 metal detectors will be installed along the route. Restoring Washington's streets after the parade will cost an estimated $16 million.
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However, Trump told NBC News' Meet the Press on May 4 that the cost of the event was "pennies compared to the benefits it will bring."
"We have the best missiles in the world. We have the best submarines in the world. We have the best tanks in the world. We have the best weapons in the world. And we are going to celebrate," he concluded.
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