Overview:
As the Department of Veterans Affairs moves to cut 30,000 jobs and National Guard deployments in Washington, D.C. raise controversy, many U.S. veterans — including longtime Republicans — are voicing frustration with Donald Trump. Confirmed remarks calling fallen soldiers “suckers and losers” have only deepened anger. Presence News contributor Nathan Dube explores the turning tide in the veteran community, highlighting both supported claims and unverified concerns. This shift may signal growing cracks in Trump’s base among military families.
I married into a military family. As such, I have spent more and more time each year with retired veterans. My father-in-law is a proud Vietnam veteran who has shared both heroic and harrowing stories from his service. A few years ago, my wife and I even compiled a leather-bound “memory book” of his photos — a small gesture of gratitude.
As an ardent pacifist, it wasn’t easy to adapt to his cultural mores, but over time I’ve developed a deep respect for veterans and their sacrifices. My father-in-law, a lifelong Republican, has long supported conservative administrations. So I was surprised when he recently said he no longer wears his MAGA hat — and that he is angry with the president.
Even more surprising: many of his fellow veterans feel the same way. Why? Let’s break it down.
VA Job Cuts Spark Backlash
At a family cookout, I overheard my father-in-law say: “He’s cutting at least 80,000 jobs at the VA.”
I later dug into the reporting and here’s the reality: the Department of Veterans Affairs is currently reducing around 30,000 positions by September 2025, primarily through attrition. Washington Post and FedSmith both confirm this.
A larger workforce reduction plan (sometimes reported as much higher) was considered but has since been shelved. I could not find credible confirmation for the specific number of 80,000 job cuts.
For many veterans, this is personal: a significant portion of VA employees are veterans themselves, with decades of service. Losing these jobs feels like a betrayal.
The “Suckers and Losers” Remark
Another sore point for veterans comes from former remarks attributed to Donald Trump. In 2020, The Atlantic reported that Trump referred to fallen U.S. service members as “suckers” and “losers” (The Atlantic).
In 2023, Trump’s former Chief of Staff, Gen. John Kelly, confirmed the accuracy of those statements in an on-the-record interview (Washington Post).
This confirmation has fueled anger among veterans who once supported him.
National Guard Deployment in DC
Most recently, Trump’s administration authorized the deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. Reports show that troops have been tasked not only with security, but also with landscaping and janitorial duties — assignments many veterans and lawmakers call wasteful and disrespectful.
The deployment costs are also staggering: an analysis by the National Priorities Project estimates at least $1 million per day (The Intercept).
Other Points Raised — But Harder to Verify
In online forums and YouTube videos, some veterans cite additional grievances:
- Betrayal of historic U.S. allies.
- “Contempt for the uniform.”
- Transgender military service bans.
- Cuts to higher-ed research grants for veteran-serving colleges.
Editor’s note: I could not find strong 2025 reporting in reputable outlets confirming these as current policies. Some are tied to past actions (e.g., the 2017–2019 transgender service ban, later reversed in 2021). Readers should approach these claims cautiously unless more documentation emerges.
Conclusion
From VA job reductions to controversial remarks about fallen soldiers to costly National Guard deployments, veterans are increasingly speaking out against the Trump administration. Some, like my father-in-law, are lifelong Republicans who feel deeply conflicted but betrayed.
Whether this shift grows into a larger movement will depend on what comes next from Washington.
Sources
- Washington Post – VA plans workforce cuts of 30,000
- FedSmith – VA to reduce 30,000 employees by September
- The Atlantic – Trump: Americans who died at war are “losers” and “suckers”
- Washington Post – John Kelly confirms Trump’s comments
- Washington Post – National Guard given landscaping, janitorial duties
- Military Times – National Guard unusual DC assignments
- The Intercept – Cost of DC Guard deployment tops $1M/day
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