Veterans Protest Trump Policies Across the U.S. – The American Spectator | USA News and PoliticsThe American Spectator

Large crowds of veterans gathered on Capitol Hill Friday afternoon to protest President Trump’s proposed budget cuts. 

BREAKING: MASSIVE large crowds have gathered for the Veterans March to Stop Trump’s Cuts in Washington D.C. this afternoon.

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— Lucas Sanders 💙🗳️🌊💪🌈🚺🟧 (@LucasSa56947288) March 14, 2025

Newsweek reported that the National Mall protest, named “NowDC,” is in response to “Trump’s cuts on Social Security, federal job losses for veterans, the pardon of January 6 rioters and reductions in veterans’ health care services.” Similarly, protests were reported in Tallahassee, St. Paul, Harrisburg, and other state capitols nationwide. (RELATED: Entitlement Fraud Is Now a Stated Aim of the Democrat Party)

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, who joined other Senate Democrats in voting no to the Republican spending bill, posted on X that the legislation is a “slap in the face to our veterans.” Gallego argued that the cuts are so that President Trump and Elon Musk “can give their buddies a tax break,” calling it “shameful” and a “sin against this country.” 

Social media users at the Washington D.C. event observe protestors shouting, “Stand the f**k up,” and “Your choice is simple, America or Trump!” as they march throughout the Capitol. Videos from the protest showed people sporting Ukraine flags, Luigi Mangione hats, ANTIFA posters, and “F**k MAGA” banners. 

Big protest on March 14th in D.C. This will be the biggest yet. Spread the word!! Multiple groups gathering. Stop the Coup. We’re not Russia. Impeach the Traitor. pic.twitter.com/JfGpHPaAJs

— Melody Allard (@MissMelody82) March 8, 2025

Veterans were also seen with signs at the event referencing Trump’s alleged “suckers and losers” comment toward veterans in 2020, which was initially reported in a story published by the Atlantic. The comment resurfaced with former President Joe Biden in the first presidential debate in July but was promptly denied by Trump. “That was a made-up quote, ‘suckers and losers’ …. We had 19 people that say I didn’t say it,” Trump said in response to Biden. 

The Capitol protest was organized by Fourteenth Now!, an organization that deems Trump as an “adjudicated insurrectionist, constitutionally disqualified for holding office” for the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol protest. The organization chose March 14 to protest due to Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which “demands those who engage in insurrection be barred from office.” 

An internal memo from Veterans Affairs Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek earlier this month underscored some of the issues veterans were marching against on Friday. The memo outlined plans for the VA to return to its 2019 “end-strength numbers” of 399,957 by eliminating 80,000 jobs. Syrek noted that the restructuring complies with Trump and DOGE’s plans to eliminate waste, reduce bureaucracy, and increase workforce efficiency.