Why isn't Trump getting a military farewell? Here's why Pentagon might have refused to fulfill POTUS' wish
With only a few days of Donald Trump's presidency remaining, it seems now that he won't even be getting the farewell wish fulfilled. The president wanted his departure from Washington to involve a "military-style sendoff and a crowd of supporters", a person who has discussed the matter with Trump, told CNN. Unfortunately for him though, the Pentagon will break tradition by refusing to engage in an armed forces farewell or throw him his requested military-style parade as he leaves the office. Two senior defense officials reportedly said that no military farewell is being planned for the commander-in-chief.
Every outgoing president since Ronald Reagan has received a farewell ceremony from the Pentagon. When Barack Obama went out of office, his 2017 farewell saw a salute from a military band, a review of troops and a long line of military leaders praising him for his policies and his tenure in office.
The question is why is Donald Trump being denied the farewell that he not only wants but should be getting by virtue of his position. Traditionally, outgoing presidents attend the swearing-in of their successors and then take a 5-minute flight to Joint Base Andrews where the 'former' president and first lady are greeted by a military honor guard, former staffers, friends, and other well-wishers. For Donald and Melania Trump this won't happen. Why?
Trump wants farewell before Biden's inauguration
Trump has long maintained that he won't be participating in Joe Biden's inauguration. In fact, he used his last tweet on the social networking platform to announce that he won't be attending his successor's inauguration. "To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th," he had tweeted on January 8, 2021, shortly before getting banned from Twitter. So did Pentagon refuse because Trump wanted the farewell before Biden's swearing-in?
Plus it was not made clear if Trump wanted his farewell parade to take place at the White House, Joint Base Andrews or his final destination of Palm Beach.
Trump's impeachment
Trump was 'again' impeached at the House after 10 Republicans joined their Democrat counterparts. The Senate trial will take place next. In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the process “will now begin at our first regular meeting following receipt of the article from the House.” However, he said "given the rules, procedures and Senate precedents" that govern presidential impeachment trials, there is "simply no chance that a fair or serious trial" could conclude before President-elect Biden is sworn into office. The impeachment could also be the reason that the Pentagon decided to not provide Trump a farewell.