Veterans rally in Washington DC to protest federal job cuts

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Veterans rally in Washington DC to protest federal job cuts

2025-03-15 12:17 Last Updated At：20:57

Veterans and their supporters from across the United States gathered in Washington D.C. on Friday to voice their anger over the Trump administration's sweeping cuts to federal jobs, particularly within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The rally, held in front of the U.S. Capitol, drew nearly 1,000 demonstrators, many of whom had recently lost their jobs due to the federal layoff plan. Some had traveled for days from various states to make their voices heard.

Among the protesters are veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. They feel abandoned after being dismissed. Many condemned the government's move as a betrayal of both the U.S. constitution and the nation's servicemen and women.

"I'm here to support and defend the constitution of the United States of America. I was at the VA two days ago. [As for the Trump administration's policy], there's nothing based on fact," Mike, a recently laid-off veteran.

"It's absolutely awful. It's just unbelievable that we have somebody running this country [this way]," said Robert Goodwall, a U.S. Navy veteran.

Organized by veterans' advocacy groups, the rally is set to continue for three consecutive days in the nation's capital. Organizers are also calling on veterans across the country to hold similar demonstrations at state capitols to defend their rights.

The protest comes as Trump is carrying out major federal spending cuts, resulting in widespread job losses and the dismantling of government departments.

Under the direction of the White House's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the VA is planning an "aggressive" restructuring, with up to 80,000 employees facing layoffs, according to local media reports citing an internal memo. Veterans make up over a quarter of the agency's workforce, making the proposed cuts particularly controversial.

Nationwide protests erupt in US after ICE shootings

Protests against federal immigration enforcement are spreading across the United States, with the latest demonstration unfolding directly in front of the White House.

Early Saturday, more than a hundred demonstrators gathered there, demanding changes to the Trump administration's immigration policies and accountability for recent shootings involving federal agents.

Immigrant rights and civil rights groups said this weekend's rallies mark a coordinated national response. Demonstrations are planned or already underway in major cities including Philadelphia, as well as across states such as North Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Washington, D.C., where organizers are calling for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to be removed from local communities.

The nationwide protests follow a deadly week in which three people were shot by federal agents in two days.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, a 37-year-old woman, Renee Good, was killed during an enforcement operation by the ICE. A day later in Portland, Oregon, a man and a woman were wounded during a separate federal operation.

In the aftermath, Minnesota state officials accused the Trump administration of blocking their investigation by denying access to key evidence and prematurely drawing conclusions before a full review could be completed.

On Friday, Donald Trump defended the Department of Homeland Security's actions, sharply criticizing Minnesota leaders and calling them corrupt.

Local leaders have pushed back. During a Saturday news conference, the mayor of Minneapolis described ICE agents' actions as reckless.

Officials in both Minneapolis and Portland continue urging demonstrators to remain peaceful as protests intensify nationwide.

According to a 50501 Movement statement issued Friday, at least 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025.