White House Denies Guardian Claims of VA Care Discrimination

The Trump administration has strongly denied claims made by The Guardian that new policies at Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals could allow refusal of care to veterans based on marital status, political affiliation, or other factors not protected by federal law. These claims arose from an executive order signed by President Trump on the first day of his second term, titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," which requires federal recognition of only two biological sexes. While The Guardian reported that some VA medical staff could be barred from working due to such characteristics, VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz did not explicitly deny these assertions. However, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly labeled the report as "totally FALSE" and accused The Guardian of fearmongering. The VA also issued statements reaffirming that all eligible veterans will always receive the benefits and services they have earned under federal law. Furthermore, the VA's Deputy Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs emphasized that federal law prohibits discrimination of veterans or staff on such bases and that the VA will continue to comply with these laws.