White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the Trump administration would not recognize June as Pride Month, nor would it allocate federal funds for related events, redirecting an estimated $200 million to address homeless veterans. Leavitt stated, “President Trump doesn’t feel spending $200 million on festivals and parades for less than 7% of the population makes sense,” emphasizing a priority shift toward veterans’ welfare. This decision aligns with an executive order signed on May 9, 2025, establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence on the West Los Angeles VA campus, aiming to house 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028 using funds previously allocated for undocumented immigrant services.
The move has sparked polarized reactions. Supporters on X, like @Primrose771646, praised the reallocation, viewing it as a commitment to veterans, with Los Angeles’ 3,000 homeless veterans—10% of the national total—cited as a pressing issue. Critics, including @PaulRudnickNY, argue the administration is using veterans as a pretext to target LGBTQ+ communities, pointing to concurrent cuts to veterans’ healthcare, such as cancer trials, and the removal of diversity programs at the VA.
No executive order explicitly bans Pride Month, contrary to some social media claims, but the administration’s actions, including renaming June as Title IX Month and banning federal agency celebrations of Pride, signal a broader rollback of LGBTQ+ recognition. Democratic Representative Robert Garcia called the moves “obsessive” and “dangerous,” arguing they aim to erase diversity gains. The Veterans Collective, a nonprofit building housing on the VA campus, welcomed the order, but critics like Rep. Brad Sherman question its feasibility, estimating a $3.3 billion cost and noting the VA’s slow progress on existing housing projects.
The decision comes amid heightened tensions in Los Angeles, where ICE raids and a 60-day National Guard deployment have fueled protests. The administration’s focus on veterans, while defunding programs like Pride Month, reflects a strategic pivot that critics argue masks broader cuts to social services, including those for veterans themselves. As of June 8, 2025, no detailed plan has clarified how the $200 million will be integrated into the VA’s budget, leaving advocates on both sides awaiting further developments.
