On June 7, 2025, thousands of veterans and supporters rallied at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the “Unite for Veterans, Unite for America” protest, decrying the Trump administration’s policies, including those impacting global climate action. Held on the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the event, organized by the Unite for Veterans coalition, highlighted concerns over proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but also served as a platform to criticize broader Trump policies, including his environmental agenda. Experts warn that Trump’s recent election victory threatens global climate efforts, branding his approach a “wrecking ball” to progress.
The rally saw veterans like Lela Bell, a former Army sergeant, condemn Trump’s climate skepticism, which includes calling climate change a “hoax” and vowing to dismantle the Inflation Reduction Act, a key clean energy bill. Speakers, including Senator Tammy Duckworth, a combat-wounded veteran, linked veterans’ welfare to environmental justice, arguing that cuts to VA services and climate policies harm vulnerable communities. The punk band Dropkick Murphys performed their new song “Who’ll Stand With Us?”, amplifying calls to resist Trump’s agenda. Signs reading “Protect Our Planet, Honor Our Veterans” underscored the dual focus.
Climate experts, such as Bill Hare from Climate Analytics, warn that Trump’s return to the White House could see the U.S. exit the Paris Agreement again, potentially adding billions of tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Rachel Cleetus of the Union of Concerned Scientists called his policies a blow to global climate diplomacy. Trump’s push for increased oil and gas production, coupled with plans to roll back environmental protections, threatens the 1.5°C Paris target. Despite this, optimism persists, with figures like Christiana Figueres noting that global renewable energy momentum, led by nations like China, may limit the damage.
The rally reflects a broader resistance, with organizers like Chris Purdy emphasizing unity against policies seen as betraying veterans and the environment. As over 200 similar protests unfold nationwide, the National Mall event signals a growing movement to challenge Trump’s environmental and social rollbacks, urging collective action to safeguard both veterans’ rights and the planet.
