We must not undermine policies that protect survivors

A statement by PODF’s Victims Advocate, legal services coordinator, and Survivor Jamie Boehlein:

“I wish I could say I was shocked by how the meeting with President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth went. Unfortunately, I’m not. This only highlights how much further the culture will be damaged. From my own experience and from what I’ve heard from others, the tone set by leadership has a direct impact throughout the ranks. When senior leaders undermine reporting, it sends the message that those who come forward are the problem instead of addressing the actual misconduct.

“Fewer reports don’t mean fewer incidents. It means a weaker, less accountable force. No policy or procedure can succeed if it’s continuously undermined by the president and the secretary of defense. This kind of leadership erodes trust, weakens unit cohesion, and risks losing talented service members, further dividing the force.”