Betrayed by Their Own Government: How Trump is Failing Veterans & How Vets Can Fight Back

The Myth vs. The Reality

For years, Donald Trump has portrayed himself as a champion of veterans, using patriotic rhetoric and military symbolism to cultivate loyalty. However, his policies tell a different story; one of betrayal, systemic neglect, and outright hostility toward those who served.

Veterans have fought to defend democracy. Now, they must fight again, this time, against the creeping authoritarianism within their own government. With a veterans’ march on the National Mall taking place today March 14, there has never been a better time to expose the true cost of Trump’s policies on veterans and their families.

Those who refuse to be pawns in his political game, must outline a clear resistance strategy.

How Trump is Systematically Undermining Veterans

As a veteran, an Iraq veteran, a proud Marine, I worry because what is about to happen with these cuts will cause veterans to die.

—Senator Rubin Gallego (D-AZ) at Veterans Affairs Committee Press Conference (03/13/2024)

The dismantling of the VA Office of Equity Assurance

What happened?

• Trump shut down the VA’s Office of Equity Assurance, which was created to investigate racial disparities in veterans’ benefits.
• Black and Latino veterans already receive fewer benefits than white veterans despite serving in similar roles and experiencing higher disability rates (ProPublica, 2025).
• This move ensures that these inequities remain unchallenged, deepening racial injustice within the VA system.

 Why this matters:

• Without oversight, racial discrimination in disability compensation will go unchecked.
• Marginalized veterans will continue to receive lower benefits, longer wait times, and fewer resources.
• Veterans’ advocacy groups must push for legislative action to reinstate oversight.

Purging veterans from disability and retirement benefits

What happened?

• The Trump administration fired thousands of VA employees, creating massive backlogs in disability claims processing.
• Trump’s budget proposal includes deep cuts to veterans’ benefits while increasing military spending on defense contractors (The Intercept, 2025).
• Military retirees now face higher healthcare costs under VA privatization plans.

 Why this matters:

• Veterans are losing financial security, with delays and denials making life harder for disabled service members.
• The administration is starving the VA of resources while funneling money into the defense industry.
• Veterans’ unions and legal groups must challenge these benefit cuts in court.

Trump’s silence on the veterans suicide crisis

What happened?

• Veteran suicide rates remain at crisis levels, but Trump cut mental health programs at VA hospitals.
• He downplayed PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, claiming that mental health issues were overblown.
• Funding for peer support programs, which have been proven to help prevent suicide, was slashed.

 Why this matters:

• Suicide prevention should be a top priority, but Trump’s administration has actively dismantled support structures.
• Veterans dealing with PTSD and other mental health challenges need stronger, not weaker, institutional support.
• Veterans’ organizations must pressure Congress to restore VA mental health funding.

Supporting Veterans Who Are New to the Fight

• Many veterans once supported Trump, believing his rhetoric about helping the military.
• Some are now realizing the truth, but shifting political perspectives can be difficult.
• It’s crucial to welcome and support veterans who are waking up to Trump’s betrayal rather than alienating them.
• Providing resources, historical context, and solidarity can bring more veterans into the resistance.

Why Veterans Must Join the Resistance Against Trump’s Authoritarianism

Veterans swore an oath to defend the Constitution—not to serve the political ambitions of a single leader. Authoritarian regimes manipulate military loyalty, using veterans as political props while stripping away their rights. This is a turning point.

Veterans must take a stand to prevent further erosion of democracy.

Historical Examples of Veterans Resisting Authoritarianism

• Bonus Army (1932): Veterans marched on Washington, demanding their promised benefits.
• Vietnam Veterans Against the War (1967-1975): Veterans organized massive protests against U.S. war policies.
• Veterans in the Civil Rights Movement: Black veterans played a crucial role in fighting segregation and systemic injustice.
• Veterans Against Trumpism (Present Day): Groups like VoteVets are actively challenging Trump’s policies and authoritarian overreach.

How Veterans Can Fight Back

1. Mobilizing veteran advocacy groups

• Organizations like VoteVets, IAVA, and Common Defense are already pushing back against Trump’s anti-veteran policies.
• Veterans can join or donate to these groups to support pro-veteran policies.

 2. Using veteran credibility to expose Trump’s lies

• Veterans have credibility and influence: Trump uses them as symbols, but veterans speaking out can shatter his narrative.
• Writing op-eds, giving interviews, and sharing personal stories can help expose the truth.

 3. Organizing direct action and protests

• Veterans can march, rally, and engage in direct action to demand protection of their benefits.
• Appearing in uniform (if applicable) or bringing military symbolism to protests can make a powerful statement.

 4. Running for office and voting Trump out

• Veterans running for local, state, or federal office can bring real change to veteran policy.
• The 2026 and 2028 elections will be critical—veterans must be at the forefront of the pro-democracy vote.

Final Call to Action – Vets Must Fight for America’s Future

Trump’s policies are actively harming veterans while using them as political props. This cannot stand. Veterans must resist, mobilize, and reclaim the promise of democracy.

 The time to fight back is now.