Dem rep mocks Trump on military parade: His last one 'not very well attended'

Source: The Hill



BY MALLORY SHELBOURNE - 02/07/18 09:13 AM EST

A Democratic lawmaker on Tuesday mocked the idea of a military parade at the request of President Trump, suggesting last year’s inauguration event was “not very well attended.”

Link to tweet

Larsen included a photo from the president’s inauguration showing empty stands and a link to a USA Today article titled, “There were a lot of empty seats in the stands along Trump's parade route.”

The tweet followed a Washington Post report that said Trump asked the Pentagon to look into holding a military parade. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders later confirmed that Trump requested the Defense Department “explore a celebration” for Americans to demonstrate their support for the military.

The subject of Trump’s inauguration crowd size became a thorn in the side of former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who in his first briefing from the podium insisted Trump had “the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe.”

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/372692-dem-lawmaker-mocks-trump-calling-for-military-parade-his-last-parade-was-not

---

Ex-State Dept. spokesman: Military parade ‘is beneath us as a nation’

BY BRETT SAMUELS - 02/07/18 09:16 AM EST

Link to tweet

A former State Department spokesman and retired Navy Rear Admiral on Wednesday ripped President Trump’s request for the Pentagon to organize a military parade, calling it a “tremendously bad idea.”

This is not about showcasing our military. This is about the president showing off. This is all about his ego,” John Kirby said on CNN’s “New Day.”

The Washington Post reported Tuesday night that Trump has asked military officials to explore holding a celebration for Americans to show their appreciation for the armed forces.

-snip

Officials told The Washington Post that the concept is still in its early stages, but that the parade could cost millions of dollars.

Kirby, who served as State Department spokesman from 2015-2017, argued Wednesday that the event would be a waste of money and that the resources for a parade could be better spent elsewhere. He suggested spending money on operations, military training and spouse education programs instead.

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/372693-ex-state-dept-spokesman-military-parade-is-beneath-us-as-a-nation