Democrats invite dismissed veterans to Trump's Congressional address, seeking accountability
Trump, known for his past controversial remarks regarding veterans, has recently been responsible for the dismissal of thousands of former service members.
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump will address Congress on Tuesday night in front of an audience that includes several recently laid-off federal employees, as many Democrats plan to showcase the impact of the administration’s extensive cuts to the federal workforce—particularly affecting veterans.
In past years, Democrats have chosen to boycott Trump's speeches as a means of expressing their discontent with his policies. However, this year, party leaders have encouraged them to take a different approach, opting to confront the president directly with individuals whose lives have been affected by his administration's aggressive downsizing tactics.
Democrats are particularly focused on emphasizing the negative effects these cuts have had on former service members—a sensitive issue for Trump, who frequently claims strong support from the military community while also facing backlash for his remarks regarding veterans.
Sen. Mark Kelly, a Navy veteran, spearheaded a letter to Office of Personnel Management Acting Director Charles Ezell, co-signed by eleven other Democrats, raising alarms about the number of veterans impacted by the workforce reductions enacted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The letter highlights that close to 6,000 veterans have lost their jobs due to the drastic measures taken by the department.
Representatives bringing former servicemen and women who were dismissed from government roles to the joint session include Sen. Ruben Gallego, who invited Kyle Rahn, a disabled Arizona veteran recently let go from the Department of Homeland Security. Sen. Tim Kaine will also bring Jason King from Virginia, a disabled veteran who was dismissed from his role in the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety division.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is set to escort disabled Army veteran Alissa Ellman, who was abruptly let go from her position at the Buffalo VA, and he has voiced strong opposition to the veteran layoffs.
“Firing [Ellman], firing veterans and slashing thousands from the VA workforce is outrageous and should be reversed,” Schumer stated in a press release. “This is not how you treat our veterans — it’s not just unacceptable, it’s un-American.”
Army Veteran Adam Mulvey, who was terminated from his role as an emergency management specialist at Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, will attend as a guest of Rep. Brad Schneider.
“I am very concerned as both a veteran and a federal employee about what firings like the one I experienced will mean for health care providers like FHCC Lovell,” Mulvey remarked in a statement from Schneider’s office. “Not only was I an employee, but I receive my own healthcare at FHCC Lovell, as do my wife and children. Thousands of veterans come there for excellent care – I am concerned that a reduction in staff and a drastic budget cut will reduce the quality of care.”
Mulvey described his firing as “insulting,” stating he was told it was due to poor performance despite having consistently positive evaluations.
The White House has not responded immediately to requests for comment on this issue. However, Alina Habba, a senior adviser to the president, defended the administration's actions regarding veteran dismissals during a press conference outside the White House as more invites were issued to fired veterans for the speech.
“That doesn’t mean that we forget our veterans by any means,” Habba said. “We are going to care for them in the right way, but perhaps they’re not fit to have a job at this moment, or not willing to come to work.”
Some Democrats announced their decision to boycott the speech, including Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Ron Wyden of Oregon, as well as Reps. Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer of Virginia.
Rep. Becca Balint and Senators Ed Markey, Chris Murphy, Angela Alsobrooks, and Brian Schatz are planning an alternative event featuring "real-time fact-checking" of the president's address, accompanied by live reactions.
Others are also extending their outreach to a broader network of dismissed federal employees. Attendees at Tuesday night’s speech will include Doug Kowalewski, a former National Science Foundation employee, who is the guest of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, along with various former National Park Service rangers.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
In past years, Democrats have chosen to boycott Trump's speeches as a means of expressing their discontent with his policies. However, this year, party leaders have encouraged them to take a different approach, opting to confront the president directly with individuals whose lives have been affected by his administration's aggressive downsizing tactics.
Democrats are particularly focused on emphasizing the negative effects these cuts have had on former service members—a sensitive issue for Trump, who frequently claims strong support from the military community while also facing backlash for his remarks regarding veterans.
Sen. Mark Kelly, a Navy veteran, spearheaded a letter to Office of Personnel Management Acting Director Charles Ezell, co-signed by eleven other Democrats, raising alarms about the number of veterans impacted by the workforce reductions enacted by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The letter highlights that close to 6,000 veterans have lost their jobs due to the drastic measures taken by the department.
Representatives bringing former servicemen and women who were dismissed from government roles to the joint session include Sen. Ruben Gallego, who invited Kyle Rahn, a disabled Arizona veteran recently let go from the Department of Homeland Security. Sen. Tim Kaine will also bring Jason King from Virginia, a disabled veteran who was dismissed from his role in the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety division.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is set to escort disabled Army veteran Alissa Ellman, who was abruptly let go from her position at the Buffalo VA, and he has voiced strong opposition to the veteran layoffs.
“Firing [Ellman], firing veterans and slashing thousands from the VA workforce is outrageous and should be reversed,” Schumer stated in a press release. “This is not how you treat our veterans — it’s not just unacceptable, it’s un-American.”
Army Veteran Adam Mulvey, who was terminated from his role as an emergency management specialist at Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, will attend as a guest of Rep. Brad Schneider.
“I am very concerned as both a veteran and a federal employee about what firings like the one I experienced will mean for health care providers like FHCC Lovell,” Mulvey remarked in a statement from Schneider’s office. “Not only was I an employee, but I receive my own healthcare at FHCC Lovell, as do my wife and children. Thousands of veterans come there for excellent care – I am concerned that a reduction in staff and a drastic budget cut will reduce the quality of care.”
Mulvey described his firing as “insulting,” stating he was told it was due to poor performance despite having consistently positive evaluations.
The White House has not responded immediately to requests for comment on this issue. However, Alina Habba, a senior adviser to the president, defended the administration's actions regarding veteran dismissals during a press conference outside the White House as more invites were issued to fired veterans for the speech.
“That doesn’t mean that we forget our veterans by any means,” Habba said. “We are going to care for them in the right way, but perhaps they’re not fit to have a job at this moment, or not willing to come to work.”
Some Democrats announced their decision to boycott the speech, including Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Ron Wyden of Oregon, as well as Reps. Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer of Virginia.
Rep. Becca Balint and Senators Ed Markey, Chris Murphy, Angela Alsobrooks, and Brian Schatz are planning an alternative event featuring "real-time fact-checking" of the president's address, accompanied by live reactions.
Others are also extending their outreach to a broader network of dismissed federal employees. Attendees at Tuesday night’s speech will include Doug Kowalewski, a former National Science Foundation employee, who is the guest of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, along with various former National Park Service rangers.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
