PHOENIX – In yet another reckless decision by an unelected weirdo billionaire and his enablers in Washington, critical resources for Arizona’s veterans are being slashed. The latest round of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts has led to the firing of several Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) therapists in Phoenix—essential personnel who provided life-changing care to those who served our country.
“These cuts are outrageous,” said Attorney General Kris Mayes. “Veterans in Arizona already struggle to access the care they deserve, and now an unelected billionaire and a wannabe dictator have decided even the status quo was too much help. Firing VA therapists, including those helping veterans manage PTSD and chronic pain, is not only cruel—it’s dangerous.”
The firings come as part of a broader effort by Donald Trump and Elon Musk to gut federal services, with more than 1,400 VA employees terminated nationwide. Among those impacted is Kristin Fray, a music therapist at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, who used music therapy to help veterans cope with anxiety, pain, and post-traumatic stress.
To hear directly from affected veterans and community members, Attorney General Mayes will host a town hall as part of a national series of Community Impact Hearings on the federal firings and DOGE cuts. This public forum will provide a space for veterans, their families, and others impacted by these dangerous cuts to share their experiences and voice their concerns.
The first hearing will take place in Phoenix on March 5th at 6 PM at Central High School Gymnasium, 4525 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012. Those wishing to attend must RSVP here.
More information on the upcoming hearings can be found here: azag.gov/press-release/attorneys-general-host-series-community-impact-hearings-federal-firings-and-doge
“These firings are a betrayal of our veterans, plain and simple,” Attorney General Mayes continued. “I won’t stand by while billionaires in Washington, D.C. rip away vital care from those who served our great nation to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. I urge everyone impacted by the Trump-Musk cuts to attend our upcoming hearing and make their voices heard.”
