Susan Collins is no friend to veterans | Letter
Maine Letter Calls Out Senator Collins on Veterans’ Issues
A letter to the editor in the Press Herald, written by Waterville resident Katie Dunn, has drawn public attention to concerns about Senator Susan Collins’ record on matters affecting Maine veterans. Dunn’s letter, published on March 1, 2026, critiques Collins for what she describes as a lack of substantive action on two major veteran‑related controversies: the dismissal of Veterans Affairs employees by Elon Musk’s company and the deportation of service members by the Trump administration.
Dunn writes that during the Musk controversy, “thousands of veterans, many of whom worked at Maine’s Togus VA medical center, were fired.” She says that while other members of Maine’s congressional delegation criticized Musk’s decision, Collins offered only “token concern” and did not pursue follow‑up measures. The letter suggests that Collins’ reticence may have been motivated by her reliance on Musk’s political support.
The letter also references the Trump‑era deportation campaign, pointing to the case of Sae Joon Park, a Purple Heart‑receiving veteran who was forced to leave the United States. Dunn notes that Park “served his country” and that Collins “said nothing” when the matter was raised. Dunn further warns that thousands of Afghan allies—many of whom served alongside U.S. troops—are now at risk of being deported to “the clutches of the Taliban.”
In the letter’s closing remarks, Dunn urges Maine voters to consider a senator who will “actually fight for them,” rather than one who “uses them for photo ops on the campaign trail.” She does not name a specific alternative candidate, but the letter’s tone signals dissatisfaction among some veteran advocacy groups with Collins’ performance on the issue.
The letter is one of several pieces circulating in Maine newspapers that examine the broader debate over veteran support and the role of elected officials in safeguarding the rights of those who served. Whether the letter will influence the upcoming 2026 election remains to be seen, but it adds to a growing chorus of voices calling for clearer action on veterans’ concerns at the state and federal level.
