Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford is at it again — using scare tactics instead of facts. On X, Ford wrote:
Nevada is home to more than 200,000 veterans.
Last month, I visited the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center and heard firsthand how Trump’s DOGE cuts to VA hospitals would mean longer wait times, fewer doctors, and less support for those who’ve bravely served.
Meanwhile,…
— Aaron D. Ford (@AaronDFordNV) August 14, 2025
Sounds dramatic, right?
The problem is — it doesn’t match reality.
Ford paints a picture of Trump slashing the VA and leaving Nevada veterans stranded. But the numbers tell a different story.
From 2020 to 2025, the VA hired 61,000 new employees — breaking records and beating its hiring goals by 17 percent, according to Government Executive.
That includes doctors, nurses, and critical staff.
If this is Ford’s idea of “cuts,” most veterans would like to see more of them.
Ford says Trump’s VA Secretary is “pushing cuts.” But there’s zero evidence of a staffing reduction plan.
In May 2025, the VA rolled out an executive order focusing on accountability and creating a National Center for Warrior Independence.
The mission? Helping veterans recover faster and improving services — not gutting them.
If Ford actually had proof of looming staff cuts, he could present it. Instead, he’s relying on speculation and political theater.
Dragging Lombardo Into It
Ford didn’t stop at Trump. He also took a swipe at Governor Joe Lombardo, accusing him of “cozying up” to the VA Secretary and supporting cuts.
The problem? Lombardo has never endorsed a plan to reduce VA services.
Lombardo is a veteran himself and a retired law enforcement officer. There’s nothing in his public record to suggest he would back a policy that hurts those who served.
Ford’s attempt to tie him to a fake crisis is political mudslinging, plain and simple.
Ford also tried to link the alleged VA “cuts” to Nevada’s rising health care costs.
Yes, costs are high here — but KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) data shows those increases are part of a national trend driven by factors like hospital mergers, drug prices, and insurance rates.
There is no direct link to DOGE proposals.
Blaming Trump’s VA policy for broader systemic problems is like blaming your mailman because your electric bill went up.
What Ford Ignores
The VA still has the 30-day rule for community care. If a veteran can’t get an appointment within 30 days, they can see a private provider and the VA covers it.
Veterans have pointed this out repeatedly on X — yet Ford acts like they’ll be left waiting for months.
This kind of fearmongering isn’t just misleading. It’s insulting to the veterans who rely on the VA and know the policies better than the politicians trying to score points off them.
Nevada has over 200,000 veterans who deserve truth, not a political scare campaign.
The facts show record VA hiring, no plan to cut staff, and a safety net that allows vets to get private care when needed.
Ford’s post reads like it was designed to stir up fear before an election, not inform the public.
If he wants to help veterans, he should start by telling the truth – and stop using their service as a political prop.
Nevadans should demand accountability from their leaders, and that includes calling out Ford’s misleading rhetoric.
Veterans fought for this country. The least politicians can do is fight for them honestly.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
