Fetterman: Military parade comprised of ‘the verbest of us'
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said that President Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, is comprised of the 'best of us' and that it should be celebrated regardless of where one might stand on the political spectrum.
'This parade is comprised of our sons, daughters, mothers and fathers—the very best of us,' Fetterman wrote in a Saturday post on social media platform X. 'Regardless of your politics, it's appropriate to celebrate the 250 years of sacrifice, dedication and service.'
Fetterman demonstrated rare Democratic support for the parade that is taking place on Trump's 79th birthday. The parade has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans over the expected cost of the festivities, projected to be between $25 and $45 million.
'We're a lion, and a lion doesn't have to tell you it's a lion,' Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said on Tuesday. 'I would save the money, but if the president wants to have a parade, he's the president, and I'm not.'
Most GOP senators said they would skip the parade. Other Republicans in Congress, like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) and Rep. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), are in attendance at the military parade, the first one to be held in Washington in 34 years.
Fetterman has in recent months broken with his caucus on a few other issues, including on immigration and on his stance regarding Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. The Pennsylvania senator was also the only Democrat to introduce the Laken Riley Act and has criticized the Democratic Party over its response to the protest in Los Angeles against federal immigration raids.
'My party loses the moral high ground when we refuse to condemn setting cars on fire, destroying buildings, and assaulting law enforcement,' Fetterman wrote on Monday. 'I unapologetically stand for free speech, peaceful demonstrations, and immigration—but this is not that.'
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