Veterans protest against Trump cuts at DC rally: 'Promises made to us have come under attack'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Fri 6 Jun 2025 17.09 EDT
Last modified on Fri 6 Jun 2025 18.29 EDT


A flurry of red, white and blue American flags fluttered across the National Mall on Friday as more than 5,000 military veterans and their allies descended on Washington to protest against the planned elimination of 80,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the cancellation of hundreds of contracts for veterans services with community organizations.

“I hope that in the future veterans will be able to get their benefits,” said David Magnus, a navy veteran who decided to travel from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after his doctor told him she was quitting during a recent mental health appointment. Before Donald Trump returned to office in January, “the VA was good”, he said, but since then medical staff had faced harassment that puts the entire system at risk. “It used to be, you’d call and get an answer,” he said. “Now, so much is going on that they don’t know where to put you.”

Organizers said that in addition to the march in Washington, there were more than 200 corresponding actions across the country, from watch parties to vigils held at VA clinics. Many veterans told the Guardian they came to the nation’s capital on their own after hearing about the rally online.

The VA secretary, Doug Collins, has said the cuts are designed to trim bureaucratic bloat and will have no impact on veterans’ healthcare or benefits. Reporting by the Guardian last month found the agency, which provides healthcare to more than 9 million veterans, has already been plunged into crisis. Across the nation, appointments have been cancelled, hospital units closed, the physical safety of patients put at risk.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/06/dc-veterans-rally-va-program-cuts

[ProudMNDemocrat]

1. FAFO that Trump fucks over Veterans...

What percentage of those veterans are Republicans?

They won't be for long.

[wolfie001]

2. They put out a very loud "I thought he was gonna take care of us!"

And not any, "We need to vote FOR EVERYONE'S BENEFIT!" How bout the whole lot of 'em vote for Democrats because of course republiCONs don't GAF!

[mountain grammy]

3. The Denver VA is a mess

My husband had 5 appointments canceled. He got a letter confirming his May appointment then the day before received notice it was canceled. A few days later he received a letter asking why he missed the appointment.

I told him don’t worry. We’re all going to die anyway. Republicans in charge.

[BoRaGard]

4. The Republican draft dodger and casino Hustler is

Pissing off the men and women who have actually put their lives on the line to serve America. This is among the GOP’s greatest and most unpatriotic attacks on what is good about America.

[GiqueCee]

5. These mendacious...

... pustules of excrescence are such brazen liars that it staggers the mind that anyone able to tie their own shoes is stupid enough to believe a word they say. But they're out there, and they're not only allowed to breed indiscriminately, they delight in their malice; it's their raison d'être.
Collins, and every other treacherous piece of shit in Trump's sphere of influence, think they're going to get away with this indefinitely.
Guess again, assholes. Your Come-To-Jesus moment is fast approaching, and there will be no escape. And fuck this truth and reconciliation horseshit; you will be held responsible for your part in this unforgivable attempt to destroy America, and, boy Howdy, it's gonna hurt. And it should, 'cause if it doesn't, you'll only try to do it again.

[Prairie_Seagull]

6. It's my impression that current VA employees have been asked/told

not to speak with vets about this current chaos. The why of which is debatable but at this point, the administration has proven to not be acting in good faith. Slash and drain bullshit.

IMO

[Mysterian]

7. Thanks to these vets for showing up and speaking out

Depraved, cowardly republicans use veterans as props but are the first to cut their benefits and care.