


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.

Pentagon & Congress
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.

How one GI’s sacrifice helped pave the Army’s way to Aachen, Germany
Jack Pendleton sacrificed all to eliminate a critically placed German machine gun nest.

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.

This Medal of Honor recipient jumped on a live flare to save his crew
During the Vietnam War, John Levitow jumped on a live flare to save his crew from death.

VA deems over 130 occupations ineligible for deferred resignation plan
Most VA nurses, doctors and other staff caring for vets are ineligible for the Trump administration’s deferred resignation offer, according to a VA email.

Medal of Honor recipient faced down 100 enemy troops to cover his men
Three officers were wounded trying to silence the enemy machine gun. Robert Craig would be the fourth to try.

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.

The 5 Americans who made history by earning the Victoria Cross
Since Queen Victoria instituted the Victoria Cross in 1856, five American-born men have received Britain’s highest military award for valor.

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.

One of the last remaining Tuskegee World War II veterans dies at 100
Harry Stewart Jr. was one of the legendary flying corps’ most decorated pilots during the WWII, having claimed three Nazi aircraft in a single day.

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.

After 50 years, this WWII soldier finally received his Medal of Honor
After decades of discrimination, Vernon Baker was finally recognized for his heroism during an assault on a German stronghold during WWII.

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.
