President Donald Trump is throwing himself a birthday celebration this weekend – but while the event honors both the Army’s 250th anniversary and Trump's own 79th birthday, most congressional Republicans won’t be there to celebrate.
That’s according to a report in Politico, which surveyed 50 GOP lawmakers and found only six who said they plan to stick around Washington for the Saturday spectacle, which includes warplanes, tanks and a multimillion-dollar military parade on the National Mall.
The no-shows include top Republicans in both chambers and many lawmakers who oversee the military, including the chairs of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees.
“Instead, they’ll attend a different air show — the annual defense industry confab in Paris,” Politico reported Tuesday.
Other Capitol Hill Republicans will just be home for the weekend. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) said he’ll be in his home state campaigning for governor. Sen. Markwayne Mullin said it’s his wedding anniversary: “I choose to be married,” he told Politico. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) said the parade conflicts with his daughter’s 18th birthday.
Military veterans skipping the event include Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a former Air Force reservist, Todd Young (R-IN), Rick Scott (R-FL) and Tim Sheehy (R-MN).
Still, Trump will have at least a few loyalists on hand, according to the Politico report.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) confirmed to the outlet she’ll attend, as will MAGA lawmakers, including Reps. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Corey Mills (R-FL), Lisa McLain (R-MI), John McGuire (R-VA) and Rich McCormick (R-GA).
The White House dismissed concerns over the absences, saying Trump will be joined by top military leaders, at least 15 Cabinet members, and “thousands of patriotic Americans.”
Meanwhile, Trump threatened Tuesday that any protesters at Saturday’s parade would face a “very big force.”