Disrespecting the Military
The Trump administration has shown deep disrespect toward the U.S. military, not only through rhetoric but through policies that undermine the very people who have served the country. Project 2025, a sweeping right-wing policy blueprint backed by Trump allies, includes proposals to slash veterans’ benefits—betraying those who rely on critical support after their service. Trump has also signaled a willingness to deploy American troops to the Middle East in support of Israel’s wars, using U.S. military power to serve foreign policy interests that align with his political alliances rather than American security. At home, the Department of Veterans Affairs continues to allow discrimination against veterans based on marital status, union affiliation, sexual orientation, and other personal factors—policies that remain unchallenged by his administration. Moreover, Trump has politicized military imagery, handpicking soldiers who “look the part” to stand behind him during speeches, often resulting in mostly white, male backdrops—especially when advocating for the return of Confederate names to military bases. Together, these actions paint a disturbing picture of how the Trump administration prioritizes loyalty and optics over genuine respect for military service and equality.
VA doctors can refuse to treat democrats, unmarried veterans.
Allowing Discrimination
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) strongly criticized new Trump administration guidelines for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that allow discrimination against veterans and VA medical staff based on marital status, political affiliation, union membership, and gender identity. The policy removes protections ensuring equal care for veterans and could exclude unmarried veterans, Democrats, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others from receiving or providing care at VA facilities.
Un-American
Murray condemned the policy as discriminatory and un-American, stating it undermines the country’s moral obligation to care for all veterans. She called for immediate reversal of the policy and urged public and bipartisan opposition.
Additionally, Murray raised concerns over mass firings at the VA, alleged influence by Elon Musk and DOGE in VA operations, and threats to veterans' health care and data security. She has taken legislative and oversight actions, including pressing VA officials in hearings and releasing reports on the negative impact of the administration’s decisions on veteran services.
Hegseth ordered a DEI purge on military websites, erasing black & women's military achievements.
DEI = Deletion
The Pentagon is conducting a massive purge of online content related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), flagging over 26,000 images—and potentially up to 100,000—for deletion. This is in response to President Trump’s executive order ending federal DEI programs, enforced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Flagged content included the Enola Gay
The flagged content spans all military branches and includes references to historic milestones, such as the Enola Gay aircraft, Tuskegee Airmen, first female Marine infantry graduates, and Medal of Honor recipients. Images tied to Black, Hispanic, and Women’s History Months and others that contain keywords like "justice," "respect," or even "gay" (including individuals with that last name) have been targeted.
Erase "People First" Initiative
Internal memos show that Army public affairs officials have been ordered to erase references to the Army's former “people first” initiative and to avoid associations with race- or gender-specific outreach efforts. Critics inside the military say this move undermines the Army’s own values and ethics, with one official stating the directive is “antithetical to everything public affairs is supposed to be about.”
The army soldiers in Trump's parade were demoralized, hence their poor performance.
Trump's parade was dull and poorly attended
President Trump’s 79th birthday parade on June 14, 2025, was overshadowed by massive nationwide protests, leaving him visibly disappointed and sulking throughout the event. While Trump had hoped for a grand military spectacle to celebrate both himself and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, the parade was widely seen as dull and poorly attended. Protesters across the country—at over 2,100 events organized by groups like the ACLU—used the occasion to denounce Trump’s authoritarian tendencies and abuses of power. Many carried mocking signs, and the atmosphere was described as lively and spirited in stark contrast to the somber tone of the official parade in Washington, D.C.
A Military Veteran gives her perspective
Many soldiers were seen marching out of sync and with unusually low energy. This poor performance sparked speculation online, with some wondering if it was a form of protest. Military veteran and writer Charlotte Clymer offered a more grounded explanation: the soldiers weren’t protesting—they were simply demoralized and treated poorly. She noted that marching is basic training for any soldier and that poor performance in such a high-profile event is virtually unheard of unless morale is extremely low. Many of the troops were likely tired, frustrated, and aware that the parade served more to flatter Trump than honor the military, leading them to put in minimal effort. Clymer emphasized that such displays, especially when broadcast nationally, raise concerning questions about troop morale and their perception of leadership.
The Trump administration cut 80,000 jobs from the Department of Veterans Affairs
Major Reorganization
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is planning to cut over 80,000 jobs as part of a major reorganization aimed at returning staffing levels to what they were in 2019. This move comes after the agency expanded significantly during the Biden administration to meet increased demand, including care for veterans affected by toxic exposure under the 2022 PACT Act. An internal memo revealed that the job cuts will begin in August and are part of a broader government downsizing effort led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is overseen by Elon Musk under President Trump’s direction.
Cutting Work from Veterans themselves
VA Secretary Doug Collins has stated that the layoffs will not impact veterans' health care or benefits, insisting that the changes are intended to improve efficiency. However, the plan has drawn sharp criticism from veterans' groups, Democrats, and even some Republicans. Critics argue that slashing the workforce—over a quarter of which is made up of veterans themselves—could degrade services and discourage veterans from seeking care. Former VA Inspector General Michael Missal, who was recently fired by Trump along with other oversight officials, warned that the loss of institutional expertise would harm the agency’s ability to serve veterans effectively.
Trump sent the military to Los Angeles with nowhere to sleep.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Trump’s deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, calling it poorly planned and politically motivated. Newsom claimed most troops arrived without basic supplies like food, water, fuel, or lodging, with viral images showing soldiers sleeping on floors in basements or loading docks.
The Pentagon estimated the cost of the deployment at $134 million, fueling further backlash. Newsom stated only 300 troops were actually active, while the rest were idle in federal buildings.
Trump skipped the dignified transfer of four U.S. Soldiers killed in Lithuania during a training exercise.
On April 4, 2025, while the remains of four American soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania were returned to the U.S., President Donald Trump chose to skip the solemn ceremony to attend a Saudi-backed LIV golf tournament at his Doral resort in Florida. Despite the presence of military officials, senators, and the Lithuanian president—who gave a moving tribute—Trump sent Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his place, drawing sharp criticism for his absence. The incident highlights a stark contrast between Trump's actions and Republican claims of honoring military service, especially when compared to past outrage over minor perceived slights by previous presidents.
Trump said, "It doesn't cost sixty thousand dollars to bury a f*cking Mexican".
After promising to help cover funeral costs for slain U.S. Army soldier Vanessa Guillén in 2020, Donald Trump reportedly exploded in anger when he learned the bill was $60,000, allegedly shouting, “It doesn’t cost sixty thousand dollars to bury a f---ing Mexican.” According to The Atlantic, Trump made the remark in a meeting months after inviting Guillén’s family to the White House and offering financial support. He then instructed his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, “Don’t pay it!”—and the Trump administration never did. Guillén, a 20-year-old Mexican-American soldier from Houston, was murdered after being sexually harassed at Fort Hood, prompting a national outcry and a military investigation that led to disciplinary actions against 14 staffers. Despite the outrage, Trump’s campaign denies he made the offensive comment, though the article notes he never fulfilled his public promise to help with the funeral costs.
Trump gave an unhinged and politicized speech at West Point Military Academy
Disappointed and Disrespectful
In a sharply worded open letter, Rep. Pat Ryan, a West Point graduate and Iraq War veteran, criticized former President Donald Trump for delivering a divisive and politically charged speech at the 2025 West Point commencement ceremony. Ryan, who represents New York’s 18th Congressional District, expressed disappointment that Trump used the graduation as a campaign platform, wore a red MAGA hat, and departed early without honoring the tradition of personally congratulating the cadets—a gesture respected by previous presidents.
Trump's actions speak louder than words
Ryan’s letter, which he sent to Trump after the ceremony, underscored his concerns about Trump’s approach to both military culture and veterans’ care. He condemned Trump’s proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the firing of 83,000 employees, reductions in mental health and cancer care funding, and the closure of inpatient beds at Castle Point VA, a facility used by many veterans in Ryan’s district, including himself. Ryan warned that these actions threaten the health and lives of countless veterans. Ryan’s letter, which he sent to Trump after the ceremony, underscored his concerns about Trump’s approach to both military culture and veterans’ care. He condemned Trump’s proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the firing of 83,000 employees, reductions in mental health and cancer care funding, and the closure of inpatient beds at Castle Point VA, a facility used by many veterans in Ryan’s district, including himself. Ryan warned that these actions threaten the health and lives of countless veterans.
The Trump administration fired prominent black and female military leaders.
Firing the Navy's first female chief
Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was fired by President Donald Trump as part of a broader shake-up targeting military leaders associated with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Her removal, along with several other senior officers, follows reports that the Trump administration aimed to replace officials perceived as aligned with prior DEI policies. Despite her dismissal, Franchetti was widely respected for her leadership on Navy modernization efforts, including advancing unmanned systems and artificial intelligence capabilities to counter threats in the Indo-Pacific.
Firing the Joint Chiefs' first black Chairman
Gen. Charles Q. Brown was fired by President Donald Trump as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff because he was associated with supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the military—a key target of Trump’s efforts to reshape Pentagon leadership. While the official announcement praised Brown's 40-year career and leadership, his removal was part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to eliminate top officers seen as aligned with DEI programs or broader progressive military policies. Despite Brown's respected tenure and support from Congress, his focus on modernization, trust, and inclusive leadership ultimately made him a political target in Trump’s overhaul of military leadership.
Firing the Coast Guard's first female leader
Admiral Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a U.S. military branch, was fired by President Trump on his second day in office and abruptly evicted from her home on a military base with only three hours' notice. Her dismissal was reportedly due to what Homeland Security officials described as an “excessive focus” on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as her perceived lack of alignment with Trump’s border security priorities. While Coast Guard leaders had previously granted her a 60-day housing waiver, the sudden eviction — ordered under the claim that “the president wants her out of quarters” — was viewed by allies as a politically motivated and personal power move aligned with Trump’s broader anti-DEI agenda.
There is an increase in calls to GI Hotlines as service members consider defying Trump's orders.
Service Members are seeking guidance on how to resist authoritarian orders
Under President Donald Trump’s second term, there has been a sharp rise in U.S. service members seeking guidance on how to legally resist orders they fear could support authoritarianism. Calls to the GI Rights Hotline nearly doubled in June 2025, especially after Trump deployed the National Guard and Marines to suppress immigration-related protests in Los Angeles. Many troops worry they are being used as tools in a political crackdown and are increasingly applying for conscientious objector status to avoid participating in domestic military actions they believe violate democratic principles.
Politicizing the armed forces
Organizations like the Center on Conscience & War report a surge in requests for help from military personnel who fear being part of what they see as Trump’s politicized use of the armed forces—particularly against immigrant communities. Some Latino service members feel deeply conflicted about potentially enforcing Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda, while others cite concerns about rollback of civil rights within the military, including DEI and LGBTQ+ protections.
Domestic policing force
Military families, too, are voicing fears that the military is being turned into a domestic policing force, undermining trust between service members and civilian communities. Legal experts warn that service members who refuse unlawful orders face serious penalties, including prison and loss of benefits, though they still have limited rights to raise concerns or file for discharge. The growing unrest highlights deep anxieties among troops about the military's shifting role under Trump and whether it still reflects the values they signed up to defend.
Discrimination Against Veterans in VA Hospitals
DEI Purge on Military Website
Army Marching Incorrectly at Trump's Parade
80,000 Jobs Cut from Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Troops in LA with Nowhere to Sleep
It Doesn't Cost 60K to Bury a F*cking Mexican
Trump Speech at West Point
Fired Black and Female Military Leaders
Calls to GI Hotlines over Trump Orders