New director of Concerned Veterans for America aims for more influence
John Vick takes over the veterans advocacy group whose alumni include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Veterans
VA dismisses over 1,000 employees as part of probationary worker purge
Department leaders promised the dismissals will not hurt veterans' benefits or medical care and will save almost $100 million annually.
Protestors demand VA oppose Trump efforts to trim federal workforce
Several dozen union members and VA employees rallied outside the department headquarters amid fears of staff cuts and funding reductions for the agency.
Watchdog agency’s closure could lead to more military financial scams
The White House moved to close the Consumer Financial Protection Board, which fielded 100,000 consumer complaints every month from veterans and troops.
LGBTQ Pride flags banned at VA facilities under new policy
Only the American flag and other state and military-related banners will be allowed to be displayed under the new department policy.
VA secretary tapped to temporarily lead 2 federal oversight offices
VA Secretary Doug Collins will lead the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel until new directors are named.
Congress starts work this week on annual defense authorization bill
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Feb. 11, 2025.
VA leaders working with DOGE but say veterans’ personal info is secure
An employee from the controversial new department will review VA contracts and IT system operations, VA officials confirmed.
Collins becomes first post-9/11 vet to be confirmed as VA secretary
The former Georgia congressman was easily confirmed to lead the nation's delivery of veterans benefits and health care.
VA will end remote work status for thousands of staffers this month
The move to end telework at VA follows instructions from the White House to return most federal employees to their pre-pandemic duty stations.
Vets group blasts Trump plane crash comments as ‘shameful’
The president on Thursday suggested that programs to hire workers with disabilities may have lead to the aircraft collision that killed 67 people.
VA leaders dismiss directors of offices for women, minority veterans
Officials said the staff changes are not part of larger efforts to eliminate diversity and inclusion programs from the department.
Hegseth strips Milley of security detail, orders investigation
The former Joint Chiefs chairman had warned that Trump may seek revenge against him and other critics if re-elected to the White House.
VA benefits won’t be halted under White House funding freeze order
White House officials said VA financial assistance programs do not violate rules banning diversity and inclusion efforts.
VA, DOD oversight questioned after Trump inspector general firings
The top watchdogs for the Defense Department and Department of Veterans Affairs were among the individuals dismissed by Trump.
No schedule yet for service secretary confirmation hearings
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Jan. 27, 2025.
VA places 60 staff on leave after shutting down DEI offices
The moves come after a White House executive order mandating an end to federal equity and inclusion efforts.
