Veterans Day 2025: Why U.S. Veterans Turned Their Day of Honor Into a Protest Against Donald Trump
- Teo Drinkovic
- 17 minutes ago
- 5 min read
From parades to political outcry — how thousands of American veterans used Veterans Day to defend the Constitution, challenge Trump’s leadership, and remind the nation what true patriotism means
Introduction
Every year on November 11, the United States celebrates Veterans Day, a federal holiday that honors all men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, both in times of war and peace. Traditionally, this day is marked with ceremonies, parades, wreath-laying, and moments of silence organized by military and veterans’ associations across the country.
But this year, the tone changed dramatically. Instead of celebrations, many veterans took to the streets in protest, joining the movement “Vets Say No”, a nationwide campaign expressing discontent with Donald Trump’s administration and its policies. What was once a day of solemn gratitude became a moment of civic awakening.
The Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
These two American holidays are often confused, but they carry very different meanings.
Veterans Day honors all veterans, both living and deceased, who have served their country, regardless of where or when they served.
In contrast, Memorial Day is dedicated specifically to those who lost their lives in military service or died as a result of their service.
To put it simply:
Veterans Day says: “Thank you to all who served.”
Memorial Day says: “Remember those who gave their lives.”
Veterans Day is observed every November 11, while Memorial Day takes place on the last Monday in May. These differences define not only the purpose but also the emotional tone of each holiday.
The Origins of Veterans Day
The story begins on November 11, 1918. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was signed between the Allied powers and Germany, bringing an end to the fighting on the Western Front of World War I.
In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as Armistice Day, a time for Americans to reflect on the costs of war and the value of peace. In 1938, the U.S. Congress made it an official legal holiday dedicated to peace and remembrance.
However, after World War II and the Korean War, the number of American veterans grew dramatically, and so did the sense that a day honoring only World War I veterans was too narrow.
Thus, on June 1, 1954, Congress amended the 1938 act, replacing the word “Armistice” with “Veterans.” From that day forward, November 11 became known as Veterans Day, honoring all American veterans, not just those from one conflict. Wikipedia
President Dwight D. Eisenhower then issued a proclamation calling on citizens to reflect with gratitude and unity.
There was, however, a brief detour. In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill tried to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October to create long weekends for federal employees. The change was unpopular, and many states refused to comply and continued celebrating on November 11.
Finally, President Gerald Ford signed Public Law 94-97 in 1975, restoring the observance to November 11 beginning in 1978. Since then, Veterans Day has remained permanently fixed on that date.
How the U.S. Usually Celebrates Veterans Day
Across the nation, Veterans Day is marked by ceremonies and tributes large and small. The Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia hosts one of the most solemn events, where the President traditionally lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. arlingtoncementery.mil
In New York City, the famous Veterans Day Parade marches down Fifth Avenue, attracting tens of thousands of participants and spectators. Schools hold lessons about military history, communities raise flags, and businesses offer discounts or free meals to veterans.
The mood is typically one of pride, remembrance, and unity, a day when Americans pause to thank those who have served.
Veterans Day 2025: From Celebration to Protest
This year’s Veterans Day broke tradition. Instead of parades and quiet reflection, thousands of veterans took to the streets across the country to protest. Under the campaign name “Vets Say No,” demonstrations were held in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and other cities.
The largest rally, titled “Remember Your Oath,” took place in the nation’s capital, where veterans gathered to speak out against what they called the Trump administration’s erosion of democratic values.
In Chicago, veterans marched downtown to protest the militarization of local police forces and immigration policies that they say contradict the freedoms they once fought to protect. In Baltimore, protesters condemned Trump’s threats to deploy federal troops to the city, holding signs that read “Our Oath Has No Expiration Date.”
Their message was clear: “We swore an oath to protect the U.S. Constitution from enemies both foreign and domestic. That duty doesn’t end when we take off the uniform.”
According to the protesters, their grievances include cuts to veterans’ healthcare funding, bureaucratic failures in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and expanded presidential powers that, in their view, threaten civil liberties.
The protests represented something deeper than partisanship; they were a call for accountability from those who once served under the flag and now feel their oath demands continued civic duty.
Trump Administration’s Response
The Trump administration dismissed the protests as politically motivated, insisting that it remains strongly committed to veterans.
During a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Trump praised the “courage and sacrifice” of America’s soldiers and emphasized the need for “law and order.” The White House highlighted its reforms within the Department of Veterans Affairs, claiming progress in reducing wait times and improving benefits.
Critics, however, argue that those reforms have been uneven and that the administration’s rhetoric has fueled division rather than unity.
Protesting veterans said Trump’s remarks ignored the real issues: the underfunding of critical programs, the use of federal forces in domestic situations, and what they view as a disregard for democratic norms. In their eyes, the protest was not an act of rebellion, but a continuation of their oath to defend the Constitution.
Why Veterans Day Is More Than Just “A Day Off”
Veterans Day is not simply another day away from work; it’s a symbol of national gratitude, a reminder of the sacrifices and service that safeguard freedom. The holiday holds deep cultural significance in America, where values such as honor, duty, and patriotism remain central to the military experience.
Yet this year, the day took on a new dimension. By marching in protest, veterans demonstrated that their sense of duty extends beyond the battlefield. Defending the Constitution, they argued, means standing up against injustice even at home.
Through peaceful protest, they reminded the country that democracy is not a spectator sport; it’s a responsibility.
As one veteran put it: “We didn’t fight for a person. We fought for a principle, the Constitution.”