Veterans troubled by Trump’s actions

by Tina Tyler

Washington D.C. may seem far away, but even local veterans are watching closely how Trump treats them and the policies emerging from the Republican majority. President Donald Trump has always had a mixed relationship with the military. On one hand, he celebrates military might with parades and backdrops. The June 14 parade, ostensibly to celebrate the Army’s 250th anniversary, was Trump’s desire to have a grand display of military might similar to those in Russia and North Korea. He has also used an orchestrated backdrop of cheering soldiers for speeches. He praises members of the military for successful, if questionable, missions against other countries. Despite presenting himself as a champion of the U.S. military, earning a majority of votes from veterans in all three of his campaigns for the White House, he has mocked and derided soldiers who get captured and ignores those who are wounded. He sees soldiers in that category as ‘losers.’ 

So, it is no surprise that the Trump Administration announced the Veteran’s Administration will cut 30,000 jobs by September 30. 

After the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began shedding employees and contracts, VA Secretary Doug Collins pledged veterans would see a positive change. While some veterans support the cuts, doctors and others at VA hospitals say those cuts should not be in the hospitals and clinics providing  veterans’ care. The VA provides health care to roughly 9 million veterans. The Veterans Health Administration workforce constitutes 90 percent of the VA’s 482,000 workers, so cuts to VA workers could mean cuts to health care. This includes suicide and crisis-line workers: most of the estimated 1,130 staffers work remotely, so ending remote work options will further undermine staffing and the ability to handle 3 million calls a year. 

The VA has also been a leader in medical research. According to NPR, “with overall budget cuts at the VA and the federal workforce reduction, at least 350 VA researchers will likely lose their jobs. That job loss, along with a Trump directive to stop research on how poverty and race shape veteran health outcomes, will undermine not only the general well-being of veterans but also the entire medical establishment’s knowledge about substance use, mental health and deeper insights that VA research can provide on prevention and treatment of cancer and cardiovascular disease.”

Even changes in the general federal workforce can erode VA services. In addition to impacts to hospitals and clinics, veterans employed by the government have a “veterans preference” designation. Due to this veterans preference, nearly 30 percent of federal workers are veterans, half of whom are disabled. This means that veterans, who make up 6.1 percent of the U.S. population, are disproportionately affected by federal worker cuts.

Veterans also comprise a disproportionate number of homeless people. Many use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) and Medicaid in addition to other non-VA services. So, cuts in those areas will contribute to an overall impact to our veterans. A recent Executive Order (E.O.) paves the way for a huge campus to house homeless veterans in West Los Angeles. The existing facility has been problematic and the E.O. has been met with cheers and skepticism. (See Substack: Home of the Brave)  Because of the many impacts, veterans have started to push back against the proposed changes, resulting in a reduction of the originally planned staffing cuts from 80,000 to 30,000. The first Trump administration committed to expanding services for veterans. Now, it’s executing a stark policy reversal with acute consequences for the very same veterans the U.S. government promised to protect and serve since the country’s founding.

Clallam Democrats Rising asked veterans to share their thoughts about changes to the VA, military parades, and deploying the military domestically.  

Daryl, ret USAF, Sequim (personal interview, summarized): I am not in favor of the VA cuts if they come from the hospitals. I go to the JBLM Infusion clinic, and the wait times are getting longer. I think we could see referrals to civilian doctors. I don’t mind the military being deployed domestically if ICE is being overwhelmed but I don’t think we will see much of that happening. The June 14 parade in Washington, D.C. wasn’t bad, but the timing might have been better - maybe they could have waited until the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary next year.

Danya and Brandon, both ret USMC, Florida (summarized response to emailed questions): We saw too much corruption in the VA firsthand years ago. It is overly complicated and frustrating. If it worked, we’d use it. I doubt we will notice a 30,000-person cut due to the fraud and waste already in the VA. As far as deploying domestically, we are trained for use wherever we are sent. We have no problem with parades; they are a great recruitment tool. This administration is very supportive of the military.

Shannon, ret US Army, Corvallis (summarized response to emailed questions): The reductions will have repercussions, but it is already notoriously hard to get things done on the administrative side. Deploying the military against domestic protests is a terrible idea and not their purpose. The current administration will say and do anything to keep their base appeased. I don’t believe in anything they say.

On the Clallam County Democrats Facebook Page, we asked veterans: 

Clallam County Democrats would like to know what you think about Trump sending troops into Los Angeles. How do you feel as a Vet to see the use of troops for political showboating?

Tom:  I’m a Vietnam veteran (1969 - ‘73), and Cadet Bone Spurs has absolutely no business sending troops into an American city; especially not for showboating purposes as in the current situation in L.A.

Char: Seven active army, seven active army reserves … [Trump] has no clue what commander in chief means or for what it means to be a little bit presidential.

Teresa: My husband was on Seal Team One and I worked for the Air Force as a civilian (B2 Bomber mechanic.) We are both stunned and appalled. Your oath is to the Constitution not to the President, or in this case, dictator. So wrong on so many levels.
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Diana, LCDR, USCG (ret): I’m a retired veteran of 23 years and a Democrat. I’m appalled! Quite frankly, I feel that his actions are illegal and warrant impeachment. I’m focused on the 2026 midterms to neutralize this criminal! P.S. Posse Comitatus Act. Look it up. I was taught this early in my military career. Every American should be educated about it! The Prez sent the National Guard and Marines, deliberately bypassing California’s governor, thus violating Posse Comitatus. He specifically said he was sending troops to California to assist California (Los Angeles) with “the rioting” despite the Governor’s very loud and firm objections. It doesn’t matter if all the troops are doing is protecting a federal building. The mere fact that he sent them there in the first place is a violation of the PCA. The prez has not invoked the Insurrection Act, so he pretty much abused his “power.” Is anyone going to stop him or hold him accountable? I doubt it. Title 10 does not give the prez absolute power to override a governor. Only in certain circumstances, none of which have taken place with regard to the protests in L.A.

Additional sources on this story:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/10/trump-military-use-draws-concerns/84137113007/

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/06/11/bragg-soldiers-who-cheered-trumps-political-attacks-while-uniform-were-checked-allegiance-appearance.html

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/make-great-tv-donald-trump-parade-wanted/story?id=122821886

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/06/11/what-military-experts-are-saying-veterans-unite-against-militarization-of-california/