Recommendations of the Editorial team
Trump attack on veterans is already demanding the first victim
US President Donald Trump Has a implementing regulation entitled “Remaking the Federal Workforce“(Redesign of the Federal Administration) signed in which the dismissal of a number of employees is essentially required. The Ministry of Veteran affairs was originally excluded, but this wording has now been deleted from the regulation.
Trump signed February 2024 Decret to restructure the federal authorities
This U-turn is characteristic of the double-tongued attitude of the Trump government towards men and women who have given their lives for the United States.
Removing the VA exception: contradiction to the alleged veteran friendliness
Trump, Elon Musk and VA Minister Doug Collins have publicly emphasized how much the veterans care for them. And have assured that they will not be affected by the comprehensive cuts of the so -called “Department of Government Efficiency” (Authority for Government Efficiency). At the same time, they worked behind the scenes to ensure that the VA must accept most of the cuts from all federal authorities.
How can both things be true? I think Orwell called double thinking. And the Trump government gives a master class.
Original plans: VA Sabotage and the later swivel to the Mission Act
Trump intended to privatize the VA during his first term. According to Trump’s former VA minister, his political representatives within the VA first tried to sabotage the programs for veterans. Simply by making them unable to function or harassing the program managers. When veteran associations resisted and Trump realized that this could cost him the re -election, the government waved to the Mission Act. This made it possible to choose veterans between the supply by the VA or a private supply at the government’s expense.
Resumption of the privatization plans after Trump’s re -election
Since the annoying re -election is no longer an issue, Trump has resumed his efforts to destroy the VA from the inside. In the same week in the His government did not promise cuts, Trump and Doge announced Plans to delete over 80,000 jobs at the VA. Thousands have already been dismissed. Including employees of the suicide hotline and the telemedicine service. Even a program that helped veterans to avoid mortgage failures was deleted.
Prublica reveals internal VA documents for dramatic consequences of the cuts
Trump’s war against the VA recently intensified from bureaucratic sabotage to real cruelty. Prublica reported This week via internal e-mails from the VA, which confirm the terrifying, immediate consequences of these cuts.
Loss of life -saving cancer research and studies on toxic stress
Over 1,000 veterans lost access to life -saving cancer studies. Research on suicide prevention and toxic stress has been suspended or discontinued. An important cancer register, on which I and many other veterans worked, was intended for immediate closure.
Goal: degrading the VA supply until the takeover by private sector
All of this is part of a plan that enables Trump to weaken veterans. To sell the VA to the highest bidder. It is to ensure that veterans receive an inferior, non -specialized supply. Until a private health system that is notorious to build obstacles to health care can take control. This maximizes the profits for Trump’s donor. While the veterans have to suffer and die.
PACT law 2021 should actually improve care
The congress did not require this. The veteran associations did not require this. The American public did not demand that. In fact, just three years ago, legislators passed the cross-party PACT law at the urging of their voters.
Trump and Doge hinder studies on cancer, opioid dependency and PTBs
To improve veterans care that suffer from diseases associated with combustion pits, agent orange and other toxic loads. The Trump team, which is now strengthened by Doge, has worked to tip this extension. Studies on advanced cancer and the treatment of opioid dependency are delayed or delayed. Social workers who help the homeless veterans were released and posted again after protests. However, as part of the 80,000 planned layoffs in the Veteran Ministry, they are likely to be on the strike list.
Leading scientists left the VA
The danger to sick veterans is still exacerbated. Because Trump cuts the funds for leading research institutions such as Harvard University and the relationships broken off to them. These had provided the VA leading scientists, doctors and researchers to explore cancer, PTBs and addiction, often without costs for the government.
Future strategy of Trump, Collins and Musk: AI instead of care
However, Trump and Musk have a plan for our veterans and our active soldiers who eventually become veterans. Artificial intelligence, attitude stops and the closure of 30 VA hospitals, as can be seen from the Doge documents, which Prublica has received. In the meantime Talk Trump and Collins with a split tongue About the politics and financing of the VA. And no mucks can be heard from the Republican Congressmen. Not one has campaigned for the veterans.
Trump’s symbolic actions: “Victory Day” instead of veterans Day
Trump says he is talking to veterans when he demands that we should “start celebrating our victories again”. The government had to change the courseafter trying to take the veterans day the veteran by renaming him to “Victory Day for World was i”. But his efforts to destroy the only state facility that prevents veterans from begging on street corners with their hat in hand are still in full swing.
Call to political responsibility – not just for Trump
While the VA is changing from the supply of veterans to help them kill them, their blood not only sticks to Trump’s hands. Not even on those of Musk or Collins. Her blood also sticks to the hands of every single American. In particular, those Americans who are currently in the congress and do not do anything to stop them.