While most of Montana's congressional delegation will not attend a military parade this weekend celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, they are standing firm behind President Donald Trump’s defense policies.  

A swarm of soldiers, tanks and military vehicles are expected to hit the streets of Washington D.C. in the showcase scheduled for Saturday, June 14, which also coincides with Trump’s birthday. In addition to the hour-long parade, the U.S. Army plans to host a fitness competition, festival and fireworks show on the National Mall, with some 200,000 people expected to attend.  

In total, the celebration is projected to cost the government between $25 million and $45 million. That price tag comes at a time of deep cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs and other government services, as well as increasing tensions over Trump’s use of the military to enforce immigration policy and quell protests.    

Congressman Troy Downing, R-Montana, an Air Force veteran, says he fully backs the planned cost of the parade. In an email to the Inter Lake, Downing said the event was “money well spent” as it will encourage enthusiasm for the armed forces.

The rest of Montana’s delegation waffled when asked about the event.  

Republican Sen. Steve Daines expressed support for “President Trump’s efforts to rebuild the military and ensure that America is respected once again on the world stage,” while leaving questions about the military parade unanswered. A statement from Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke’s office was similarly ambivalent, redirecting questions about the parade to the Department of Defense.    

Both Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, and Daines are skipping the event, according to their respective press offices. Neither provided a reason why.   

Sen. Tim Sheehy, another former Navy SEAL, will be back in Montana, according to a recent post on the social media platform X.   

“It’s branding season, and I have a lot of work to do back at the ranch,” the Republican captioned a June 11 re-post of a Politico article, in which the senator confirmed he would not attend the parade.    

About six in 10 U.S. adults believe the military parade is not a good use of federal funds, according to a recent poll from the Associated Press-National Opinion Research Center for Public Affairs Research. About 40% of those polled approved of the parade, 29% disapproved, and 31% neither approved nor disapproved.  

Similar divides appeared in Congress as the date of the event approached. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have spoken out against the expenditure and some have likened the spectacle to military parades in North Korea and Russia.  

MILLIONS OF protestors are also expected to take to the streets Saturday as part of the nationwide “No Kings” movement. Protests are slated for nearly 2,000 locations across the country, including an event in Kalispell organized by Flathead Democracy and 50501.  

The groups have collaborated to host numerous peaceful protests since Trump was elected. Leanette Galaz, an organizer with the Flathead Democracy, said a variety of strategies are used to ensure all events remain non-violent. Volunteers are trained in de-escalation techniques and the Kalispell Police Department is notified ahead of all events, including the upcoming No Kings protest.  

“We’re not looking to agitate,” said Galaz.  

Still, she said the Trump administration’s response to protests in Los Angeles had amplified existing concerns for protesters’ safety.  

“The Trump administration is really fanning the flames of conflict between Americans,” said Galaz. “It’s more politically charged after what’s happening in L.A.”  

On Tuesday, Trump promised that counterprotests to the military parade “will be met with very heavy force.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later insisted that the president’s threat only applies to nonviolent protestors.  

As of Wednesday, about 600 people had registered to attend the protest in Kalispell. The No Kings website lists a total of 25 protests across the state, including events in Eureka, Libby, East Glacier, Polson and Hot Springs.  

Reporter Hailey Smalley may be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].