Only 12% of Congressional Republicans surveyed plan to attend Trump's military parade

House Speaker Mike Johnson

On Saturday, President Donald Trump's 79th birthday will coincide with a parade he's hosting on Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. However, many Republicans aren't planning to join him.

That's according to a Tuesday article in Politico, which reported that of 50 GOP lawmakers surveyed, only six confirmed to the publication that they would be there — which amounts to just 12% of those asked. Those six Republicans include MAGA stalwarts like Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), John McGuire (R-Va.), Cory Mills (R-Fla.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.)

However, the Republicans who told Politico they wouldn't be in attendance include many in positions of leadership and other Republicans who are typically among Trump's most vocal supporters. Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) told the outlet he would "be at the air show," in reference to the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in France. House Armed Services Committee chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) is also skipping the military parade for the air show. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) reportedly gave a noncommittal answer when asked if he was planning on going to the event.

Other Republicans on Capitol Hill told Politico that they would be skipping the military parade for personal reasons. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said that the parade falls on his anniversary and that he "choose[s] to be married." Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) are also flying home for the weekend, and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) is back in his home state to campaign for Alabama's Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Notably, some Republicans who are military veterans are also not planning to attend the parade. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who was a reservist in the U.S. Air Force, won't be going, nor will other veterans among the Senate Republican Conference: Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) each told Politico they won't be present.

Despite high-profile Republicans opting out of attending Trump's parade, the White House issued a statement saying that Trump was "look[ing] forward to a historic crowd at the Army Birthday Parade" to commemorate "250 years of honor, courage, and sacrifice by our United States military." But some Republicans balked at the price tag of the parade, which could be as high as $40 million.

"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) said last week, with the caveat that “the cost does seem a bit steep.”

Click here to read Politico's full report.