14-03-2025
Protesters say DOGE-related cuts will be ‘very, very bad' for veterans health
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Nearly 30 people gathered at the Mountain Home VA to protest President Donald Trump's efforts to reduce the size of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides healthcare for veterans. However, after recent DOGE-related job cuts, the department is considering departing with 80,000 probationary employees.
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News Channel 11 was at the protest and spoke with Terryl Yates, a protester who was passionately against the job cuts.
'Because so much of the budget that they've cut is actually for veterans health, this is going to be very, very bad for the health of our veterans, the people who actually have stood between us and the evil of the world,' Yates said. 'These people are the ones being targeted among other groups. But we're here today to talk about the veterans.'
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Yates said veterans deserve more resources to support them after service rather than having them taken away as part of a tax reduction.
'We should always be doing more for the veterans, not looking for ways to cut,' Yates said. 'Most of us are very much against the tax cuts until our budget is balanced. There should not be tax cuts for anyone, especially billionaires.'
Yates said people driving by the protests showed signs of support; one person even apologized for his November vote.
'And the people who've driven by, they have honked, they slowed by and told us their support,' Yates said. 'We had one person who rolled down his window and said he voted for Trump but was 'sorry that he did.''
Friday's protest was part of a nationwide effort. More protests are planned, including one on Saturday at Cumberland Park in Bristol, Virginia, at 4 p.m. 'End Hate Don't Discriminate' will address marginalized communities in Bristol, including immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community.
'We've got many more things that are planned in the future to let people know that we are here and we're watching, and we're not going to be quiet,' Yates said.
Kevin Jenkins, a former congressional candidate for Tennessee District 1; Neal Osborne, a councilman in Bristol, Virginia; and Kate Craig, a former Tennessee State Senate District 3 candidate, will speak at the protest on Saturday.
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