Washington – they smiled. They stared at space. They became involved in the Senate’s elevators and smiled when the door was safely closed inwards.
This is how almost a dozen Senate Republican reacted on Wednesday when you asked the simplest question: Do you plan to visit President Donald Trump’s military parade DC on Saturday and do you like an estimate of it 45 million USD price label?
“I won’t be here in the city, but I would like me to be,” said the old Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).
When asked about tens of millions of dollars, the event will cost taxpayers, Fischer went to a nearby Senate elevator and looked at nothing when the door closed.
At least the Senator of Nebraska spoke. Senior Ted Buddas (rn.c.) beat in eight seconds of silence in response to Huffpost, asking the same question. With a big smile, Buddas slipped into another elevator and stood there while waiting for the door to close.
“No,” said Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) When asked on his phone, when asked if he was planning to participate. He released a large sigh when, when asked about the parade price label and began to talk about unrelated laws.
“I’m currently focused on trillions, that is, the Law on Reconciliation,” Young said. “So I think my voters would appreciate that my priorities are appropriate.”
When asked if this means he likes how much Trump’s military event would cost taxpayers, he smiled, “I answered the question.”
When Huffpost pointed out that he didn’t actually answer the question, Young interrupted, “I answered the question I want to answer!”
Ok then, sir!
“I answered the question I wanted to answer!” Bill Clark through Getty Images
Saturday’s parade is taxed as the 250th anniversary of the anniversary of the anniversary, but it is also scheduled for Trump’s 79th birthday. The event will appear thousands of soldiers150 military vehicles and more than 50 aircraft were cleaned around the DC streets
Millions of people across the country will protest a short at the same time as its parade, responding to harsh coping with immigration and a decision to deploy the US military to Los Angeles to respond to unrest. “No King Day” protests takes place in all 50 states and over 1,500 cities, albeit not DC
The obvious reason for the Senate Republicans does not want to talk about the price of this parade is that since Trump took office The massive military parade of the president is not completely necessary.
“I can be,” said the elder Mike Lee (R-Utah) about participating in the parade. In terms of its costs? “Uh, I didn’t look at the price.”
However, the GOP senators also don’t want to say anything that will get angry with the president, even if they are deeply down, they are not satisfied that they will spend tens of millions of dollars the second largest ranking of the US said to Trump during his first term, “what do dictators do.” So they seem to choose to remain silent or run off the stage.
“I’m dedicated to Boise,” old Jim Risch (R-Idaho) said of my Saturday’s plans. “I appreciate the army and the fact that they are 250 years old.”
As for the price of a military parade, he just withdrew, saying, “That’s all you get.”
Older Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) Rejected any conversation about it, saying she did not “do an interview in the hallway.” (Most conversations with the press take place in the Senate corridors.)
“No comments,” said Tom Cotton (r-art.). “No comment.”
“That’s all you get,” said the elder Jim Risch (R-Idaho), when asked if he is comfortable spending $ 45 million on a military parade. Kevin Dietschs via Getty Images
Of course, several Republicans said they were good when they were put in the event.
“Listen, the army has done a lot for us,” said the elder Markwayne Mullen (R-Okla.). “The idea that we can celebrate their 250th birthday, I think they deserve a good holiday.”
Still, it will not be. “This is my 28th wedding anniversary,” he said. – I choose marriage.
Senior Jim Justice (RW.Va.) said he was very supportive of “our presidential birthday party” and that the cost of the parade does not interfere with it because he wants it to look impressive in other countries.
“I mean if you go out there, you know, two jeeps and M-16, you know how the world perceives it?” Said justice. “Come on now, America, you know? … If we do it, let’s help the big show.”
Rand Paul (r-ky) of 14 GOP Senators was the only Huffpost talked to that criticized holding the parade. He said it was not only because of the high costs, but also because he doesn’t think “Tanks and rocket symbolism ”shows what the US is.
“If you asked me about the military parade, all the images that come to mind, the first images, are the Soviet Union and North Korea,” he said.