Democrats slam the military parade as a ‘birthday party’ of millions of Trump dollars

Democrats Congress and at least one famous Republican party slammed millions of dollars from the Army’s 250th birthday parade on Saturday that President Donald Trump had long tried to celebrate the military.

Trump said the cost – projected as much as $ 45 million for the Army alone, did not calculate the safety and other expenses – would be “nuts compared to the value of doing so.”

However, the critics argue that the money can be better spent elsewhere.

“If that is really about celebrating a military family, we can put $ 30 million to help them offset the cost of child care, food assistance, and their tuition fees,” Senator Tammy Duckworth words on x. “But apparently not. Trump threw himself a birthday parade of $ 30 million just to caress his own ego.”

The Army said that it had contributed spending between $ 25 million and $ 45 million for the parade, which would include 6,700 troops and dozens of tanks, military battle vehicles and aircraft that were performed at or near the National Mall.

“Money must be included in a medical defense research instead of vain in a splendor and circumstances for the president,” said Senator Dick Durbin, D-il. “This is not consistent with what men and women deserve to be received.”

The Saturday parade also fell on Trump’s 79th birthday, and when he ended near the White House, the Golden Knights Parasute Team who would give him the American flag, after which he would manage the constitutional oath to the army registrants.

“We all like to enjoy a pleasant birthday party,” Senator Bernie Sanders, I-VT., Posted on x. “But most of us do not celebrate with a military parade funded by taxpayers worth $ 45 million.

“Save taxpayers’ money. Have a birthday cake and blow some candles,” he said. “Don’t close the capital and launch a 60 ton tank on the streets.”

“I will not do it,” said Senator of the Republic of Kentucky Rand Paul. “We are always different from, you know, the pictures you see in the Soviet Union and North Korea. We are proud not to be like that.”

Some Democrats echo the criticism.

“This is outrageous,” Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz. “This is something that will happen in North Korea, not the United States. Donald Trump thinks he is a king. He is not. He was elected as President of the United States, and he must act like that.”

Army spokesman Steve Warren defended the parade, saying, “This is a lot of money, but I think the amount of money is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice that has been provided by American army.

“We see this as an opportunity to really strengthen the relationship between America and its troops,” he added. “So, yes, this is a lot of money, but it has no meaning compared to what we sell.”

This week’s White House also asked for an overpass by the Air Force Thunderbirds.

When asked Thursday, what he hoped would be remembered by the public about the parade, Trump said, “How great our country is, very simple, and how strong our military is.”

“We have the strongest military in the world,” he added.

The White House has not responded to the total estimated cost request that will include the money spent on security and other arrangements.

Some Republicans said they missed the parade because of previous commitments, including DPR Speaker Mike Johnson.

Representative of Georgia Marjorie Taylor Greene said he would attend and defend the appearance.

“Washington DC is the safest one ever !!” He wrote. “I hope our great military men and women can stay here. I am very excited for a parade that celebrates the 250 -year commemoration of the United States Army !!”

Trump administrative immigration crushing protests are planned throughout the country to remove the parade program, with a mainstay “no kings” protest that occurred in Philadelphia. Nine small protests are also expected to be in Washington, according to the secret service and local officials. Trump has warned the protesters to meet with “heavy strength.”

On Thursday, he denied the characterization of him as king. “I don’t feel like a king. I have to go through hell to get the approved items,” he said, added, “No, no, we are not king. We are not at all the king.”

ABC News’ Nate Luna and Anne Flaherty contributed to this report.