In 1932, veterans pitched tents along the Anacostia River. In the sultry summer heat, thousands of World War I veterans and their families formed protest camps in Washington, D.C., who called themselves the bonus army, brought a message that the United States must deliver on its promises to those who serve.
That chapter in history is often forgotten, but it is written again - this time not with tents, but in layoffs, broken welfare and a full-blown attack on federal agencies designed to serve and hire those who operate the battle.
June 6, D-Day - Thousands of people will gather nationwide to protest the cuts. The biggest rally took place on the steps of the Capitol.
Veterans make up nearly 30% of the federal workforce. They serve in every agency, from Homeland Security to HUD. And now, many are facing the same fate: pink sliding, hostile workplaces and the lies of Donald Trump and Elon Musk, telling how they find jobs elsewhere. The Republican voice is not protesting this disgusting and false narrative.
Trump’s so-called “Doge” was previously led by billionaire Musk, and executives such as Doge’s secretary Doug Collins will make over 15% of the VA’s workforce (about 83,000) (about 83,000) (many of whom are disabled veterans). Those fired will include mental health consultants, suicide prevention specialists, LGBTQ+ outreach coordinators and public health professionals. These are not Fox News bureaucrats who complain about their 12-hour working days, such as FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. They are hard-working professionals who go to bats every day to make sure our veterans live on the next day.
Veterans know that layoffs are not saving money. As the project listed in 2025, they are about to weaken institutions and ultimately privatize and taint VA disability funds. Internal documents show plans to incorporate offices dedicated to homelessness, suicide prevention, women's health, women's health and toxicity into the "broad" sectors - the incredible expertise and snap-up plans were eliminated, which saved lives.
For veterans who will still work in these buildings? They were squeezed. Literally. As thousands of remote federal workers were forced to not have enough workstations to return to the building, some VA hospital employees were exercising in closets. The Trump administration’s goal is to make Virginia’s job so untenable that people quit. Similarly, the radio silence of the Republican leaders.
Veterans know that Trump is providing research grants to universities serving veterans and conducting research that saves and improves lives. Columbia University’s Veterans and Family Resilience Center provides traumatic care and clinician training that is being decapitated. Trump suddenly compensated Harvard University's research program for cancer, suicide prevention and toxic exposure. No explanation. There is no plan to replace it.
Black, Latino, gay, women and other veterans are being removed from the Department of Defense website and program.
Trump has just restored a ban on trans service members, supported by its Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.), who proposed a bill to permanently edit it. It has nothing to do with "preparation". It's about hatred.
Trans Americans are honored to serve in every branch. They perform tasks. They lead the team. But under Trump's second administration, they are no longer enough.
Now, thousands of people are facing medical examinations and cleanings, even if our army faces a historic recruitment crisis. This cleaning will disconnect talented linguists, medical staff, mechanics and pilots from the ranks, which makes our military weaker, not stronger.
Trump's executive order "reshaping the federal workforce" has lost thousands of federal employees' jobs and will deprive and bankrupt more. Veterans know all this and now they stand up.
We stand up because we see the writing on the wall. Trump wants to privatize VA and hand over veterans’ concerns to companies that invest their profits in profits. Target? Break the VA so it can be sold to the highest bidders - Trump’s donors and corporate allies are eager to profit from veterans’ pain.
Veterans are more than just a political conversation point. We are not pawns in cultural wars. We are Patriots - black, white, Latino, Asian, local, gay, straight, trans, and everything in between. Our strength lies in our diversity. Our sacrifice is our qualifications. Our Unity will be fully displayed on Friday.
Trump’s betrayal of the veterans community is unforgivable. But this is not unanswered.
We are answering. protest. In court. In the media. In the ballot box.
Veterans stand on Trump - not because we hate America, but because we love it enough to fight for its soul.