Laura Sibilia, an independent, represents the Windham-2 district (Dover, Jamaica, Somerset, Stratton, and Wardsboro) in the Vermont House of Representatives. She delivered these remarks at the Hands Off rally in Wilmington on April 5.
WILMINGTON-My daughter is currently deployed alongside many other Americans' sons and daughters. What's happening to our military under this administration is dangerous, disrespectful, and a complete disgrace.
Let's start with the V.A.
The Veterans Administration - after years of being understaffed - finally had the resources and staffing to begin implementing the PACT Act, which expanded care for veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic substances. And now? The V.A. is cutting over 80,000 positions.
Eighty. Thousand.
How do you slash V.A. staff when our veterans are just beginning to get the help they deserve? That's not fiscal responsibility. That is a betrayal.
And while we continue to send troops into harm's way, this administration is bringing home trained, qualified, committed service members - because of their gender identity.
A recent Pentagon memo gave transgender service members just 30 days before separation proceedings begin.
These are Americans who've passed every requirement, and served with distinction - and we're sending them home. Why?
Because they're transgender.
That's discrimination, plain and simple. It weakens our military. It makes us all less safe.
And then there's Signalgate.
High-ranking Pentagon officials - including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth - used unsecured Signal chats to discuss sensitive military operations.
This isn't just reckless; it's unforgivable. It is a blatant disregard for the lives of our service members.
* * *
Every single person serving in hostile territory deserves leaders who will do everything in their power to protect them and who will never, under any circumstance, jeopardize their safety for convenience or negligence.
This is a betrayal.
Secretary Hegseth has shown gross incompetence, and for what? To play fast and loose with our military's security?
He must resign, and we must demand accountability for this incompetence.
This isn't about left or right. This is about honor. This is about integrity. This is about our commitment to the people who serve this country.
I've had it with the disrespect.
I've had it with the cruelty disguised as policy.
And I've had it with political stunts that hurt our military families.
So I'm here. I'm speaking out. And I'm asking you to do the same.
Show up. Speak out. Push back.
Because our veterans and our service members deserve way, way better than this.
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