President Trump redirects millions from illegal alien housing to create the historic National Center for Warrior Independence, ensuring America’s 33,000 homeless veterans finally receive the housing, care, and opportunity they deserve.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump signed an executive order on May 9, 2025 establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence at the West Los Angeles VA Campus to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028.
- Funding for the center will come directly from resources previously allocated to illegal alien housing and services, prioritizing American veterans over non-citizens.
- The initiative aims to provide comprehensive support including housing, substance abuse treatment, healthcare, and employment assistance to restore veterans’ self-sufficiency.
- Trump’s order addresses years of VA mismanagement that saw parts of the 388-acre campus leased to private schools and UCLA instead of serving veterans as originally intended.
- The VA has 120 days to present a detailed action plan to transform the campus into the nation’s largest veteran rehabilitation center.
Trump Puts Veterans First with Historic Executive Order
President Donald Trump has taken decisive action to address veteran homelessness by signing an executive order establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence at the Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus. The order, signed on May 9, 2025, directs funds previously allocated for housing and services for illegal aliens toward creating what will become the nation’s largest and most comprehensive facility dedicated to homeless veterans. This groundbreaking initiative aims to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028, addressing the ongoing crisis of veteran homelessness that has particularly affected Los Angeles, where approximately 3,000 veterans currently live on the streets.
“The VA campus in West Los Angeles will become the National Center for Warrior Independence with facilities and resources to help our veterans earn back their self-sufficiency,” stated President Trump as he signed the executive order that will transform the 388-acre campus into a beacon of hope for veterans nationwide. The center will provide comprehensive support services including housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, healthcare, and employment assistance – all aimed at restoring veterans’ dignity and independence rather than creating permanent dependency.
BREAKING: President Trump to build a national center for homeless veterans using funds that were previously spent on illegal immigrants.
The executive order is another fulfilled promise of the president.
"The new National Center for Warrior Independence will help them and other… pic.twitter.com/SiamfkIvNt
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 9, 2025
Reclaiming VA Land for Its Original Purpose
The West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus has long been at the center of controversy due to misuse of its extensive grounds. For decades, valuable portions of the federally-owned land meant to serve veterans have instead been leased to private entities including an exclusive private school and UCLA’s baseball team. Trump’s executive order directly addresses this mismanagement by reclaiming the campus for its intended beneficiaries – America’s veterans. The initiative effectively ends years of legal battles over proper use of the property and restores its original purpose of serving those who served the nation.
“After decades of mismanagement, VA has been leasing parts of its 388-acre West Los Angeles VA Medical Center campus to a wealthy and exclusive private school and the University of California, Los Angeles, baseball team. Today’s executive order will enable us to ensure VA’s West Los Angeles Campus is being used as intended: to benefit Veterans. Our goal is to turn the campus into a beacon of hope and a destination for homeless Veterans from across the nation who can travel there to find housing and support and start their journey back to self-sufficiency,” statement from the VA.
The VA is currently involved in a complex legal situation regarding the campus, including an appeal of a 2024 ruling that mandated the construction of nearly 2,000 permanent housing units for disabled and homeless veterans. Trump’s executive order cuts through this bureaucratic tangle by establishing clear directives for the campus’s future use. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has been instructed to restore accountability within the VA, addressing issues of misconduct and questionable hiring practices that have plagued the department.
Funding America’s Heroes Rather Than Illegal Aliens
In a move that directly aligns with America First priorities, the executive order specifically redirects funding previously allocated to illegal alien housing and services toward supporting American veterans. This reallocation of resources represents a significant policy shift that addresses both border security and veteran welfare simultaneously. The Department of Housing and Urban Development has been directed to prioritize housing vouchers for homeless veterans, ensuring that government resources benefit those who have sacrificed for the nation rather than those who have entered it illegally.
“TREATING VETERANS LIKE THE HEROES THEY ARE: President Trump strongly believes that every veteran deserves our gratitude, and that the federal government should treat veterans like the heroes they are,” according to The White House
The Department of Veterans Affairs reported nearly 33,000 homeless veterans across the United States in early 2024, representing a 55.6% decrease since 2010. While progress has been made, the establishment of the National Center for Warrior Independence signals Trump’s commitment to eliminating veteran homelessness entirely. The VA has been given 120 days to present a detailed action plan to the White House, ensuring that this initiative moves forward with clear goals and accountability measures in place.
Building on a Legacy of Veteran Support
This executive order builds upon President Trump’s previous achievements for veterans, including the signing of the Forever GI Bill and the elimination of federal student loan debt for permanently disabled veterans. The new initiative expands care options for veterans nationwide, with directives to reduce wait times and improve service quality across the VA system. Additionally, the order includes a feasibility study for the Manchester VA Medical Center, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to improving veterans’ healthcare facilities nationwide.
“During my first term, I signed legislation to increase accountability and expand benefits and choices for veterans in accessing care, and my second term will build on those efforts,” said President Trump
VA Secretary Doug Collins has praised the directive as a major step in resolving long-standing issues within the department. The National Center for Warrior Independence represents not just housing for homeless veterans but a comprehensive approach to veterans’ well-being that includes healthcare, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and vocational training. By focusing on restoring the “warrior ethos” and fostering self-reliance, the center aims to provide sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes to veteran homelessness.
