Washington – they clicked. They stared into space. They fitted into the Senate elevators and smiled when the doors closed them safely inside.
Here’s how almost a dozen Senate Republicans reacted on Wednesday when they asked the simplest question: Do you plan to attend President Donald Trump’s military parade in DC on Saturday and you are comfortable with his estimated evaluation A price of $ 45 million?
“I will not be here in the city, but I wish I was,” complained Senator Deb Fisher (R-Neb.).
Asked about the tens of millions of dollars, which will cost taxpayers, Fisher entered the nearby elevator in the Senate and looked at nothing when the doors closed.
At least the Nebraska Senator speaks. Senator Ted Bud (Rn.C.) was held in eight seconds silence in response to Huffpost, asking the same question. With a big smile, Bud got into another elevator and stood there, waiting for the doors to close.
“No,” Senator Todd Young (R-Inda said, stepping on his phone when he asked him if he was planning to attend. He released a great sigh when he asked him about the price of the parade and began talking about unrelated legislation.
“I am currently focused on trillions, which is the reconciliation bill,” Young said. “So I think my voters would judge my priorities are appropriate.”
Asked if this means that he is comfortable with how many military event Trump would cost taxpayers, he snapped, “I answered the question.”
When he said he did not actually answer the question, Young interrupted: “I answered the question I wanted to answer!”
Ok then, sir!
“I answered the question I wanted to answer!” Bill Clark through Getty Images
The parade on Saturday is charged as a holiday on the 250th anniversary of the army, but is also designated by Trump’s 79th birthday. The event will include thousands of soldiers150 military vehicles and more than 50 aircraft rolling on the streets of DC
Millions of people across the country will protest Trump at the same time as his parade, in response to his harsh repression of the implementation of immigration and his decision to unleash the US military in Los Angeles to respond to the riots there. Thehe Protests for “no kings” occur in all 50 states and in more than 1500 cities, though not in DC
An obvious reason why the Senate Republicans do not want to talk about the price of this parade is that they were tears from the reduction of the so -called. The mass military parade for the president is not exactly significant.
“Maybe I’m,” said Senator Mike Lee to attend the parade. As for his costs? “Uh, I didn’t look at the price.”
But GOP senators also do not want to say something that will anger the president, even if he is deep in themselves, they are not happy with spending tens of millions of dollars for something that the second highest rank General told Trump in his first term “What the dictators do.” So they seem to choose to remain silent or run off the stage.
“I am engaged to Boyz,” said Senator Jim Rish (R-Idaho) for his plans for Saturday. “I appreciate the army and the fact that they are 250 years old.”
As for the price of the military parade, he just left, saying, “That’s all you get.”
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smit (R-emiss.) Reject at all every conversation about him, saying he did not “interview the corridor.” (Most conversations with the press occur in the corridors of the Senate.)
“No comment,” said Tom Cotton (R-LK.). “No comment.”
“That’s all you get,” said Senator Jim Jim Rish (R-Idaho) when he was asked if he was comfortable spending $ 45 million on a military parade on Trump. Kevin Dietsch through Getty Images
To be sure, several Republicans said they were good with the costs to put at the event.
“Listen, the army did a lot for us,” said Senator Marcway Mulian (R-OKLA.). “The idea that we have to celebrate our 250th birthday, I think they deserve to have a good holiday.”
However, he will not be there. “This is my 28th wedding anniversary,” he said. “I choose a marriage.”
Senator Jim justice (RW.VA.) said he was very supporting “our President’s birthday holiday” and the cost of the parade does not bother him because he wants to look impressive to people in other countries.
“I want to say that if you go out there, you know, two jeeps and the M-16, do you know how the world perceives this?” Justice said. “Come on now, this is America, you know? … If we do, let’s present a big show.”
Of 14 GOP senators, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY.) Was the only one Huffpost talks with whom criticized Holding the parade. It’s not just because of its huge costs, he said, but also because he doesn’t think.The symbolism of tanks and missiles ”represents what the United States is.
“If you ask me for a military parade, all the images that come to mind, the first images, are of the Soviet Union and North Korea,” he said.