In a significant show of solidarity, veterans across the United States are set to gather on June 6, 2025, to protest the cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) instituted by the Trump administration.
This protest, spearheaded by veteran-led organizations, will take place at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as well as at 16 state capitol buildings and over 100 additional venues in 43 states.
The reasoning behind the mobilization stems from the disproportionate impact of federal cuts on veterans, who make up only 6.1% of the U.S. population yet represent 24% of the 3 million federal workers that are facing imminent layoffs.
Moreover, veterans rely heavily on comprehensive, free, federally funded health care through VA clinics, which has been deteriorating due to a series of cuts, rule changes, and return-to-work policies.
If these cuts continue, veterans could face catastrophic changes to their care, potentially forcing them to seek medical attention from private practitioners instead of utilizing the services provided by the VA.
Historically, veterans have a rich legacy of mobilizing for their rights and benefits, engaging across lines of race, class, and gender to amplify their voices.
Their actions in the past have led to significant victories, such as securing back pay, pensions for veterans, the establishment of social welfare systems for civilians, and even shifts in foreign policy to end foreign conflicts.
As a scholar in law and social movements, I have studied how veterans have acquired political clout and effectively lobbied against harmful federal policies throughout American history.
Following the Revolutionary War, veterans struggled to gain recognition and support from the federal government.
General George Washington unsuccessfully lobbied Congress for a lifetime half-pay for officers, which was emblematic of the government’s financial instability.
Internal divisions among veterans, particularly between privileged officers and rank-and-file soldiers, impeded their efforts to advocate for pensions.
During the Civil War, Congress began passing multiple laws to support veterans, including the 1862 pension law that allocated payouts based on soldiers’ permanent injuries.
Despite these advancements, many veterans remained unaware of their eligibility, as by 1875 only 6.5% had applied for benefits.
Recognizing the need for increased awareness and advocacy, the Grand Army of the Republic was established as an influential organization that advocated for better pensions and disability benefits.
By the late 1800s, winning veterans’ votes became critical for politicians, leading to significant lobbying efforts by the Grand Army of the Republic.
Their influence culminated in the 1890 Arrears Act, which expanded veterans’ pensions and disability payments after mobilizing their members against President Grover Cleveland in the 1888 election.
By the turn of the century, over 40% of federal expenditures were directed towards veterans’ issues.
With the return of veterans from the Spanish-American War in 1898 and later from World War I, there was a renewed push to improve pension and disability benefits.
The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) emerged as key players, forming a national legislative committee to lobby for their demands, increasing the pressure on Congress to act.
By the late 1920s, veterans’ benefits constituted 20% of the federal budget.
In 1924, the Bonus Act promised WWI veterans a deferred payment, but many experienced hardship during the Great Depression.
In 1932, a new form of activism was put into action with the creation of the Bonus Expeditionary Forces, or the Bonus Army, which staged protests in Washington, D.C., demanding earlier payouts of their bonuses.
This mobilization saw as many as 40,000 veterans set up camp in the city for three months, significantly impacting political discourse and serving as leverage against the Hoover administration.
Though it took four years for Congress to finally approve their bonuses, the veterans’ persistent efforts led to them receiving their payments in 1936 rather than the originally planned 1945.
With public support amplified by the Bonus Army’s visible activism, veterans continued to advocate for their benefits throughout the Great Depression.
In 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed cuts to veterans’ benefits, but veterans successfully lobbied Congress to reject these proposed reductions.
A notable 1933 gathering of 10,000 veterans in Milwaukee brought together influential populist figures, rallying to protest cuts to their benefits.
As World War II loomed, FDR sought to create a compensation program for returning veterans, wary of the unrest caused by economic uncertainty during previous conflicts.
The veterans’ activism played a critical role in shaping the GI Bill, which was established to provide educational, housing, and vocational benefits to returning soldiers, fundamentally impacting the post-war economy.
The GI Bill is credited with fostering a booming middle class in America from the 1950s through the 1970s, which is now experiencing economic fragility.
Post-World War II, the agenda of veterans broadened, extending beyond benefits to encompass foreign policy issues.
The formation of Vietnam Veterans Against the War marked a significant shift, as this organization utilized street protests to speak out against U.S. government actions in Vietnam, highlighting military abuses.
In 1971, the group organized a major protest in Washington, D.C., further solidifying the visibility and impact of veterans’ voices on national issues.
This activism persisted into later conflicts, with veterans protesting the Iraq War through direct demonstrations as well as participating in electoral politics and public campaigns.
As veterans prepare for the upcoming protests, they are not only fighting for their rights and benefits but also standing up for the freedoms and prosperity of the nation and the globe.
image source from：https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/as-u-s-veterans-plan-protest-for-d-day-heres-a-look-at-their-nearly-250-year-history-of-fighting-for-their-benefits
