Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Trump Birthday Parade
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), a member of the America250 Commission and co-founder of the America250 Caucus, issued the following statement regarding Trump’s birthday parade, and the decision to use the America250 brand to facilitate it:
“Since joining the United States Semiquincentennial Commission I have worked to help shape a commemoration of our nation’s 250th Anniversary that belongs to all Americans - one that recognizes our shared history and reflects the values of equality, justice, and democracy. America250’s mission is to ‘engage, educate, and unite.’
“That mission has been hijacked by Donald Trump. It is unfortunate that what was meant to unite the country and honor its history has been twisted into yet another scheme for his own personal gain.
“Tomorrow’s military parade has little to do with honoring our troops or marking the 250th Anniversary of the Army or our nation’s founding - yet it's being run under the banner of America250 without advance notice to, or consent from, the members of the Commission.
“This would be troubling enough if it ended there. But the broader picture is even more disturbing.
“At the same time this administration is spending millions of public dollars to put on a show of military strength for the President’s birthday, it is also deploying active-duty military forces to Los Angeles to suppress peaceful protest - a move that infringes on Americans’ First Amendment rights. And while Republicans try to force legislation through Congress that cuts funding for veterans and military families, they cheer this gargantuan waste of taxpayer dollars to indulge Trump’s authoritarian fantasy. How unsurprising that Trump and Republicans would sooner burn millions of dollars on fireworks and confetti and tanks rolling down Pennsylvania Avenue than fund the programs that many military service members rely on.
“America’s 250th Anniversary should reflect the voices and experiences of all Americans. It does not belong to the President of the United States, and was never intended to serve his greed or ambition. I will continue to speak out and fight to return this Commission to its rightful purpose: telling the full story of our country while continuing our work toward a more perfect union.”