PRESIDENT Donald Trump has been praised for signing an executive order protecting veterans with funding previously spent on illegal immigrants.
On Friday, Trump signed a lifesaving order establishing a national center for veterans experiencing homelessness.
“The Trump administration informed Fox News Digital that the new National Center for Warrior Independence will assist veterans in rebuilding their lives.”
The White House said that the center will give veterans across the US the care, benefits and services “to which they are entitled.”
“According to the Trump administration, the Center will encourage self-reliance by providing housing, substance abuse treatment, and employment support for the veterans residing there.”
Fans of Trump’s efforts applauded the president when news broke of the homeless veterans center.
John Moore, former Nevada assemblyman and combat veteran, wrote on X: “It’s about time America starts taking care of our Veterans.”
Another person said of the new center, “Friggen awesome!”
One X user simply wrote: “Yes!!”
“Finally, common sense takes centerstage,” a fourth said.
Another person exclaimed: “Excellent!!!!!!”
Trump’s order directs Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to establish the center on the Veterans Affairs campus in West Los Angeles.
Los Angeles has a homeless veteran population of roughly 3,000, per the White House.
This is more than any other US city and accounts for roughly 10% of all homeless US veterans, the Trump administration said.
The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System housed 1,854 veterans in the 2024 fiscal year, according to data released by the agency.
Fox News Digital reports that the funding for constructing and maintaining the new center will come from money previously allocated for housing or other services for illegal immigrants.
What’s in Trump’s new executive order?
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday, establishing a national homeless veteran center in California. Here’s what’s included in the order.
- Directs Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins to establish the National Center for Warrior Independence on the Veterans Affairs campus in West Los Angeles.
- Directs Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner to give homeless veterans vouchers to help support them
- Reduces wait times for Veterans Health Administration appointments through options like expanded hours, weekend appointments and virtual healthcare.
- Directs a feasibility study at the Manchester VA Medical Center to potentially run a full-service medical center for veterans in New Hampshire.
- Directs Collins to “restore accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).”
- Directs the VA to take action against people within the agency who have committed misconduct.
By 2028, the White House hopes to house up to 6,000 veterans experiencing homelessness at the center.
“President Trump strongly believes that every veteran deserves our gratitude, and that the federal government should treat veterans like the heroes they are,” the Trump administration said.
DETAILS ABOUT TRUMP’S NEW ORDER
There are several other initiatives that Trump lists in Friday’s executive order.
He asked Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner to give homeless veterans vouchers to help support them.
The order also reduces wait times for Veterans Health Administration appointments through expanded hours, weekend appointments and virtual healthcare.
Additionally, Trump requested a feasibility study at the Manchester VA Medical Center to potentially run a full-service medical center for veterans in New Hampshire.
Trump also gave a more broad request to Collins, asking to “restore accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).”
He also directed the VA to take action against people within the agency who have committed misconduct.
