Veterans Rally at Ohio Statehouse Against VA Job Cuts and Federal Budget Cuts
Hundreds of veterans and supporters gathered outside the Ohio Statehouse on Friday to protest the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate thousands of VA jobs and impose budget cuts affecting veteran services.
This demonstration was part of a nationwide movement, with protests taking place across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The administration’s appointment of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to lead federal spending cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency has drawn widespread criticism, especially for its impact on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Veterans Demand Action Against VA Job Cuts
Protesters assembled at noon on High Street, holding signs with messages like “Make America Constitutional Again” and “Defund Musk, Fund VA.” Passing drivers honked in support as veterans led chants demanding the protection of VA jobs and services.
Michael, an Army veteran and federal employee who helped organize the event, stressed the importance of the VA in providing essential healthcare and mental health support. “The VA saved my life. The idea that VA workers, especially veteran employees, are lazy is just wrong,” he said.
Veterans Share How VA Services Change Lives
Many veterans at the protest shared personal stories about how the VA has helped them.
- Rebecca Micallef, a 24-year-old Navy veteran, relies on VA services for daily life after suffering injuries during her service. “The VA allows me to go to school and work toward becoming a trauma therapist to help other veterans,” she said.
- Jennifer Steele, a 43-year-old Army veteran, drove nearly two hours to attend the protest. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her early 20s, she credits the VA with saving her life. “Cutting funding to suicide prevention programs is a life-or-death decision for veterans,” she warned.
- Dick Lee, a Vietnam War veteran who earned a Purple Heart, recently turned to the VA for PTSD treatment. “Veterans have made America great since the Revolutionary War. Cutting VA jobs to save money is unacceptable,” he said.
The Fight to Protect VA Jobs Continues
As nationwide protests grow, veterans are demanding that lawmakers prioritize VA jobs and funding for critical services. Their message is clear: America’s heroes deserve better.
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