Veterans protest against Trump cuts at DC rally: ‘Promises made to us have come under attack’

More than 200 actions held across US today, organizers said, as VA officials claim cuts won't affect healthcare or benefits

A flurry of red, white and blue American flags fluttered across the National Mall on Friday as more than 5,000 military veterans and their allies descended on Washington to protest against the planned elimination of 80,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the cancellation of hundreds of contracts for veterans services with community organizations.

I hope that in the future veterans will be able to get their benefits," said David Magnus, a navy veteran who decided to travel from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after his doctor told him she was quitting during a recent mental health appointment. Before Donald Trump returned to office in January, the VA was good", he said, but since then medical staff had faced harassment that puts the entire system at risk.