Trump honors Veterans Day with vow to cut VA delays, launches ‘Victory Day’ for war triumphs

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA: President Donald Trump marked Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, with sweeping promises to eliminate the long-standing backlog of veterans’ benefit claims. He also vowed to expand housing and job support for former service members. 

Trump also proposed a new national annual 'Victory Day' observance to celebrate America’s triumphs in World War I and World War II.

The president delivered his remarks after a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, along with Vice President JD Vance, at Arlington National Cemetery.

In his speech, he said that the US owed an “eternal debt of gratitude” to the men and women who served.

Trump says 'headway' made in reducing VA backlog

Trump claimed that significant progress had reportedly been made in addressing the Department of Veterans Affairs’ years-long backlog of unprocessed benefit requests.

“The administration has made headway in cutting through the mountain of red tape,” he said. “We’ve reduced the backlog by half since January, that’s a big achievement, and Doug is going to get it down to zero.”

He praised Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, saying the VA had already processed more than 3 million pending claims this year.

In August, the department reported that it had processed about 2.5 million claims in fiscal year 2025, completing them 17.8% faster than the year before, even as new filings rose 10%.

Trump cites initiatives to address homelessness

Trump also highlighted new initiatives to help homeless veterans, including his May executive order establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence. 

It provides housing, job training, and substance abuse services, beginning with pilot programs in the Los Angeles area.

“We’re confronting the tragedy of veteran homelessness head-on,” he said, adding that his administration “will not rest until every veteran has a home.”

He cited the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, signed in July, as another major step to protect veterans from foreclosure, saying, “No veteran should lose their home because of bureaucratic delays or late payments.”

Trump claimed a steady drop in veteran unemployment during his tenure, saying the rate fell from 4.2% in January to 3.1% in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

“That’s a 26% drop in less than a year,” Trump said. “Our veterans are finding good jobs, earning good wages, and getting the respect they deserve.”

Trump announces ‘Victory Day’ for America’s war triumphs

In one of the most striking moments of his address, Trump announced that the US would begin observing an annual 'Victory Day' to commemorate the country’s victories in World War I and World War II, echoing similar holidays in other nations.

“We were the ones that won the wars,” Trump said while mentioning similar celebrations to 'Victory Day' in France, the United Kingdom, and Russia by name.

"From now on, we’re going to say Victory Day for World War I and World War II. And we could do for plenty of other wars, but we’ll start with those two. Maybe someday somebody else will add a couple of more, because we won a lot of good ones," he added.

The Veterans Day event was attended by several senior administration officials, including Secretaries Doug Collins, Pete Hegseth, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Doug Burgum, Chris Wright, Linda McMahon, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Also present were Budget Director Russ Vought, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and House Speaker Mike Johnson.