Story perspectives

VA investigates staff media talks; unions decry First Amendment breach

5/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Veterans Affairs (VA) department opened internal investigations of employees who spoke to media after attending Alex Pretti vigils.
The VA investigated recreational therapist Becky Halioua in Augusta, Georgia, for alleged media-relations violations, which she says is a scare tactic to silence union leaders.
Union groups condemned the probes as First Amendment violations and noted that at least three other VA employees are under similar investigations.

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Story summary

The Veterans Affairs (VA) department opened internal investigations of employees who spoke to media after attending Alex Pretti vigils.
The VA investigated recreational therapist Becky Halioua in Augusta, Georgia, for alleged media-relations violations, which she says is a scare tactic to silence union leaders.
Union groups condemned the probes as First Amendment violations and noted that at least three other VA employees are under similar investigations.