VA Secretary says anti-ICE protests forced veteran care facility to shutdown
The Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has taken action against the anti-ICE riots happening in Los Angeles, sending letters to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to address the impact on the city’s veteran community. The VA made the decision to close its Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center for at least five days due to the violent nature of the riots, which led to the defacement of the building’s outer walls with graffiti threatening federal immigration officials.
More than 600 veteran appointments were affected by the closure, highlighting the serious consequences of the ongoing unrest in the city. Collins expressed concern in the letters, stating that the state’s failure to maintain law and order in Los Angeles is preventing veterans from accessing the healthcare they have earned. He criticized the city and state officials for prioritizing opposition to President Trump’s efforts to restore law and order over the safety and well-being of Angelenos victimized by violent rioters and criminals.
The lackadaisical response to the riots raised questions about the safety of veterans, especially those benefiting from federal VA programs, once National Guard and federal law enforcement leave the area. Collins requested specific steps from Newsom and Bass to restore law and order in the affected area, as well as updates on state and local investigations into the defacement of the care center. He also requested that state and local authorities cover the cost of repairing the damage to the building, attributing it to their lack of police presence.
Newsom and Bass opposed federal intervention in quelling the riots, filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block National Guard and military personnel from assisting federal agents with immigration enforcement. They argued that bringing military personnel to the streets of cities and towns was unconstitutional and set a dangerous precedent. Despite their opposition, Collins emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety and security of veterans and urged state and local officials to take action to address the impact of the riots on the veteran community.
The situation in Los Angeles serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by veterans in accessing essential healthcare services during times of civil unrest. It underscores the need for collaboration between government agencies and local authorities to ensure the well-being of those who have served our country. By addressing the issues raised by Secretary Collins, California can work towards restoring peace and order in the affected communities and supporting the needs of its veteran population.
