Is there anybody much less self-aware than President Donald Trump?
On Veterans Day, fairly than honoring the troops, Trump decided to honor himself and his horrible insurance policies. His Veterans Day proclamation is a obscure mishmash of tradition warfare grievances and bluster—so just about like each different Trump proclamation.
“For too many many years, politicians have failed to supply the advantages earned by the most effective amongst us, resulting in shameful outcomes on veteran healthcare, housing, and employment. Beneath my management, the Federal Authorities will not betray these heroes,” his proclamation says.
Uh, certain.
Then Trump highlights his huge, huge achievements, like how he “ended DEI and transgender insurance policies so we will use taxpayer {dollars} on applications that assist veterans in want.”
Present your work, pal.
He additionally brags about his “One Large, Stunning Invoice” making his 2017 tax cuts everlasting—positively what veterans have been clamoring for.
One other achievement? The “Nationwide Middle for Warrior Independence” for unhoused vets in California—in three years. However the proclamation is fairly gentle on details about this, and good luck discovering a lot in the way in which of particulars wherever else.
And in accordance with the Los Angeles Times, the Trump administration hasn’t actually bothered to incorporate precise veterans in that course of. Everybody engaged on it has to signal NDAs, and the administration has not let congressional staffers, veterans, or advocacy teams overview or touch upon the plan.
You’ll be able to distinction all of this with former President Joe Biden’s 2024 proclamation.
“As a Nation, we’ve got one actually sacred obligation: to organize and equip these we ship into hurt’s means and to look after them and their households once they return house,” he wrote.
Biden’s proclamation can be a glimpse into the world that’s now gone.
“We have now taken steps to remove boundaries and disparities for all veterans, together with folks of shade, LGBTQI+ folks, and ladies. We have now made progress in addressing veteran homelessness, and we’re working to finish the silent scourge of suicide by addressing monetary and authorized threat components, selling safe storage of firearms, and increasing entry to psychological well being providers,” it mentioned.
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It additionally highlighted Biden’s work throughout the aisle, together with 34 bipartisan legal guidelines to assist veterans and their households. And when Biden did make reference to his personal accomplishments, it was to focus on the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Handle Complete Toxics Act, which expanded eligibility to obtain look after veterans uncovered to burn pits and toxins.
By Could 2024, the Biden administration approved greater than 1 million claims beneath the act.
That was private for Biden, whose son Beau died of brain cancer in 2015 after being uncovered to poisonous substances throughout his service in Iraq, which Biden believed contributed to his loss of life.
Whereas Trump is breaking his arm patting himself on the again right here, precise veterans are affected by his insurance policies. Greater than 1 million vets are in households that obtain SNAP advantages, which the administration continues to attack, even because it appears like the federal government shutdown will finish.
However to be honest, Trump has achieved one thing for veterans: work requirements that make it tougher for them to get advantages. In the meantime, lots of of Veterans’ Administration medical doctors are begging VA Secretary Doug Collins to cease slicing providers because it sheds medical professionals.
Effectively, at the very least they will have Victory Day! Positive, they’ll’t eat a reputation change. Positive, a reputation change received’t preserve them housed. And, certain, a reputation change received’t get them medical care. However no one’s good!
