Trump Signs Memorandum to Expedite Student Loan Debt Elimination for Disabled Vets

President Donald Trump sign a Presidential Memorandum on Discharging the Federal Student Loan Debt of Totally and Permanently Disabled Veterans, at the American Veterans 75th National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, on Aug. 21, 2019. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

President Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum on Aug. 21 making the process for eliminating federal student loan debt easier for permanently disabled veterans. Earlier, Trump commemorated and delivered remarks at the 75th national convention of AMVETS, a nonpartisan organization formed by World War II veterans.

The directive would benefit tens of thousands of struggling veterans, as only half of the roughly 50,000 currently qualified to have their federal loans discharged have received the benefit. The memorandum directs the secretaries of Education and Veterans Affairs to create a new, quicker process to aid veterans.

At the convention, Trump touted the support he and his administration have given to veterans and the military in the United States as a whole. In 2017, he signed into law the Forever GI Bill, which allows veterans to access their educational benefits at any point during their lifetime.

“We are restoring the fundamental principle that government’s first obligation, and highest loyalty, is to our own citizens,” Trump said.

“Our active-duty personnel are the best-equipped, best-trained, most technologically advanced fighting force in the history of the world.

“After years of neglect, we are fixing the heartbreaking failures from the last administration at the Department of Veterans Affairs. America must never abandon our heroes in their hour of need.”

Trump said the debt of the veterans will be “entirely erased,” adding that “they can sleep well tonight.” The president regularly brings up his support of the U.S. military and of veterans at his rallies. Other notable administration officials attending the commemoration included Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and acting Deputy Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs Jim Byrne.

The initiative, Trump said, would eliminate an average of $30,000 of debt for each eligible veteran. He said it would amount to “hundreds of millions of dollars in student debt” that would be removed.

Trump also brought up new upcoming upgrades in the military.

“The Army will very soon have three powerful new M-1 tanks,” he said at the convention. “The Navy is deploying the most advanced class of aircraft carriers in history, with hundreds of new F-35’s and F-18’s. America will continue to own the skies wherever we fly. We have the greatest Air Force.”

The administration has also put a focus on curbing veteran suicides, with the securing of $8.6 billion in funding for VA mental health services. He has also established a task force to better understand and prevent suicide as part of the PREVENTS Initiative.

According to the White House, the suicide rate in 2016 was “one and a half times greater for veterans than for non-veteran adults.”

During his speech at the convention, Trump recognized this year’s recipient of the Silver Helmet Award, Woody Williams, a World War II veteran who is also a Medal of Honor recipient. Trump called Williams “an inspiration to all Americans.”

Trump also noted that the remains of U.S. troops are continuing to be brought home from North Korea. In July, North Korea returned the remains of 200 troops who went missing during the 1950–1953 Korean War.

“We brought them home, so many of them; many more are coming so they can rest alongside their brothers and sisters on American soil,” Trump said.