Veterans Advocate Paul Rieckhoff

A national leader speaks out on behalf of veterans and the D-Day Anniversary rallies that are planned across America for this Friday, June 6… and he has a special message for Coronado.

Jun 04, 2025

Since serving in the Iraq War as an Army First Lieutenant and infantry rifle platoon leader from 2003 to 2004, Paul Rieckhoff has been a tireless supporter of veterans and a leading spokesperson for their benefits.

Paul is president of Righteous Media Inc., the host of the Independent Americans podcast, and the founder and former CEO and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which has advocated for veterans for more than twenty years.

On June 6, the 81st anniversary of D-Day, thousands of veterans, military families, and their allies plan to rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and in state capitols across the country, to defend the benefits, jobs, and dignity that every generation of veterans has earned through their sacrifice.

Veterans, family members, and community supporters also plan to rally in the military town of Coronado, CA, on June 6 to defend veterans' benefits and pay tribute to their sacrifices.

Along with relying on the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical and family support, 1.8 million veterans also rely on Medicaid, along with 3.4 million children of veterans.

The GOP-controlled House has passed a budget reconciliation bill that includes cuts to Medicaid amounting to at least $600 billion over the next decade. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that these cuts could result in around 14 million people losing health care coverage, with millions more facing increased out-of-pocket costs and reduced access to essential services.

The cuts are expected to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including low-income families, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.