Is there anybody much less self-aware than President Donald Trump?
On Veterans Day, reasonably than honoring the troops, Trump determined to honor himself and his horrible insurance policies. His Veterans Day proclamation is a obscure mishmash of tradition struggle grievances and bluster—so just about like each different Trump proclamation.
“For too many decades, politicians have failed to provide the benefits earned by the best among us, leading to shameful outcomes on veteran healthcare, housing, and employment. Under my leadership, the Federal Government will no longer betray these heroes,” his proclamation says.
Uh, certain.
President Donald Trump stands in entrance of a bunch of World Warfare II veterans in 2019.
Then Trump highlights his huge, huge achievements, like how he “ended DEI and transgender policies so we can use taxpayer dollars on programs that help veterans in need.”
Present your work, pal.
He additionally brags about his “One Big, Beautiful Bill” making his 2017 tax cuts everlasting—positively what veterans have been clamoring for.
One other achievement? The “National Center 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 anyplace else.
And in accordance with the Los Angeles Occasions, 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 evaluate or touch upon the plan.
You may distinction all of this with former President Joe Biden’s 2024 proclamation.
“As a Nation, we have one truly sacred obligation: to prepare and equip those we send into harm’s way and to care for them and their families when they return home,” he wrote.
Biden’s proclamation can be a glimpse into the world that’s now gone.
“We have taken steps to eliminate barriers and disparities for all veterans, including people of color, LGBTQI+ people, and women. We have made progress in addressing veteran homelessness, and we are working to end the silent scourge of suicide by addressing financial and legal risk factors, promoting secure storage of firearms, and expanding access to mental health services,” it stated.
Associated | Draft dodger Trump makes Veterans Day about himself
It additionally highlighted Biden’s work throughout the aisle, together with 34 bipartisan legal guidelines to help veterans and their households. And when Biden did make reference to his personal accomplishments, it was to spotlight the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Tackle Complete Toxics Act, which expanded eligibility to obtain take care of veterans uncovered to burn pits and toxins.
By Could 2024, the Biden administration authorised greater than 1 million claims below the act.
That was private for Biden, whose son Beau died of mind most cancers 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 assault, even because it appears to be like like the federal government shutdown will finish.
However to be honest, Trump has achieved one thing for veterans: work necessities that make it tougher for them to get advantages. In the meantime, a whole lot of Veterans’ Administration docs are begging VA Secretary Doug Collins to cease slicing companies because it sheds medical professionals.
Effectively, no less than they’ll have Victory Day! Positive, they’ll’t eat a reputation change. Positive, a reputation change gained’t hold them housed. And, certain, a reputation change gained’t get them medical care. However no person’s good!
