Wednesday, January 15, 2025
In an ad-hoc survey conducted by the Herald at local Veterans Day events, more than 90 percent of the veterans surveyed said they their ballots for President-elect Donald Trump in the November election.
The survey reflects a broader trend seen across the United States, where veterans have shown consistent support for the Republican Party, particularly in the 2024 election cycle.
Local veterans cited a range of priorities, including the economy, border security, and international affairs, as key factors influencing their vote.
Many said they disagreed with the current administration’s handling of these issues, and said the divide between veterans and the broader political landscape of New York has led to unnecessary division.
Harris, whose campaign focused heavily on social issues such as abortion rights and gender-affirming healthcare, received strong backing in the state, but veterans on Long Island said Trump’s policies on military readiness and border security resonated with them more than the Democratic agenda.
According to exit polls, 65 percent of veterans nationwide voted for Trump in the November election, reflecting similar trends on Long Island.
Veterans accounted for approximately 12 percent of total voters in the U.S., and their influence in swing districts and suburban areas remains significant.
Among some progressive voters, particularly those from younger generations, Israel’s involvement in Gaza became a critical issue during the campaign. For many in the Democratic Party, a ceasefire and negotiations for peace in the region were central to their voting decisions.
However, veterans like Paul Casazza, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army, said they often find themselves at odds with the political rhetoric surrounding war and peace.
“We promote peace,” Casazza said. “I think there’s a big civil and military disconnect.”
Casazza said he thinks progressive voters, particularly young people, do not realize many veterans consider themselves anti-war.
Tomao agreed, and said he believes one of the first actions in the new Trump administration will be a negotiated ceasefire.
Trump resonated with many veterans through his approach to military engagement, particularly the use of drone strikes. During his administration, Trump loosened restrictions on drone warfare, authorizing more aggressive tactics in combating terrorist groups and other perceived threats. This approach led to an increase in drone strikes, particularly in countries like Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
The Obama-era policy required the U.S. government to publicly report civilian casualties from drone strikes conducted outside of active war zones. However, in 2018, the Trump administration quietly repealed this provision, allowing drone strikes to be conducted without public accountability for civilian deaths.
Some veterans viewed this as an effective tool for targeting enemy combatants without risking American lives in ground combat. However, others expressed concerns over the collateral damage and civilian casualties resulting from the policies. Despite these concerns, Trump’s policies were often framed by his administration as a way to reduce the U.S. military footprint abroad while still maintaining a strong offensive presence.
While veterans make up a small percentage of the overall population—4.2 percent in New York according to state data—their influence in elections is disproportionate to their numbers. In areas like Lynbrook, East Rockaway, and Rockville Centre, where veterans live in concentrated communities, their votes can be pivotal in tight races.
Casazza said the divide between veterans and progressive voters highlights a broader issue: a disconnect between those who have served in the military and the public’s perception of serving in the military and its role in society. Casazza believes that this misunderstanding comes from a lack of education about military service and its impact.
“This is a great experiment, right?” Casazza said. “In order for it to be successful, you need an educated population—which we don’t have.”
