AP News reports that Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stated that controversial online comments made by U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner were wrong and offensive but not disqualifying. The comments, revealed in old Reddit posts, appeared to endorse political violence and criticize various groups. Platner has since apologized, citing post-traumatic stress disorder and depression experienced after leaving the Army, and has highlighted other posts showing his support for veterans and criticism of discrimination. Despite the controversy, some Democratic leaders continue to support Platner, while his political director resigned in response to the unearthed posts.
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Gunman in the Michigan LDS church shooting was a veteran of the Iraq War, and this fact immediately throws a spotlight on a complex intersection of issues. The veteran status, in itself, isn’t a cause, but it invites examination of the potential impact of combat experience, PTSD, and the challenges veterans face upon returning home. The military, and particularly the experience of war, can have profound effects on mental health, and the lack of adequate mental health support is a recurring theme when such tragedies occur.
The immediate response from some political factions often involves a familiar script. Some readily frame it as a “mental health issue,” while conveniently avoiding any deeper discussions about the underlying causes or the systemic problems that might contribute to such events.… Continue reading
State Representative Ty Burns pleaded guilty to domestic abuse and assault charges after investigations revealed he attempted to run his van off the road with his daughter inside and tried to gouge out his wife’s eye. The incidents occurred in November 2024 and April 2025, with his daughter expressing fear that he would kill her during the vehicle chase. Burns received a one-year suspended sentence and was ordered to complete a batterer’s intervention program, also stepping down from his role as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee. Following the guilty plea, Burns expressed regret and took responsibility for his actions, citing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Sae Joon Park, a U.S. Army veteran who served in the invasion of Panama, self-deported to South Korea after nearly five decades in the U.S. His removal stemmed from drug-related charges and failure to appear in court, stemming from untreated PTSD from his time in combat. Despite being awarded a Purple Heart and honorably discharged, Park struggled with addiction and the legal system, ultimately receiving a removal order. Facing imminent detention and deportation, Park chose voluntary departure, leaving behind his family and the country he had served.
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This article details the case of Jose Barco, a Purple Heart recipient and Iraq War veteran, facing deportation to Venezuela despite serving in the U.S. Army. Barco, who suffers from PTSD and a traumatic brain injury sustained during combat, was arrested after his release from prison and now finds himself stateless. His situation highlights the Trump administration’s treatment of veterans, including widespread job cuts at the VA and the deportation of foreign-born service members. This case represents a broader issue affecting thousands of veterans and exposes a disregard for their service and well-being, particularly concerning the lack of access to adequate medical care.
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Following an 11-hour deliberation, a Florida jury acquitted 17-year-old Collin Griffith of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of his mother. The acquittal came after his attorney argued self-defense, citing a history of abuse and threats from his mother, including a prior instance where she allegedly pulled a gun on him. This follows a previous self-defense acquittal for the killing of his father in Oklahoma. The defense successfully argued that Griffith’s actions stemmed from a disturbed mother-son relationship and his own documented PTSD.
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Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a decorated Army veteran with PTSD, died in a self-inflicted gunshot wound after detonating a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Police found journal entries expressing grievances against U.S. leadership, describing the action as a “wake-up call” rather than a terrorist attack. The investigation revealed potential contributing factors including family issues and personal struggles, though no direct link to a separate New Orleans attack was established. Livelsberger’s military service and social media activity further informed the investigation into the incident.
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Malik Muhammad, a disabled veteran with PTSD, received a ten-year sentence—the harshest for any 2020 protest-related case—after pleading guilty to multiple felonies involving participation in protests and a Molotov cocktail incident. Despite Oregon’s 90-day solitary confinement limit, he has spent over 250 days in solitary, with his attorney arguing that the prison circumvents the limit by transferring him between units while keeping him in the same cell. This prolonged solitary confinement, following an incident where guards tased and beat him, exacerbates his PTSD and is considered by his legal team to be a form of torture. His recent hunger strike, protesting these conditions, ended after prison officials made some progress towards moving him to the general population.
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As I read about Trump continuing to watch the shooting clip and potentially experiencing PTSD, I can’t help but feel conflicted. On one hand, as someone who has personally struggled with PTSD from my time in the army, I understand how traumatic experiences can leave a lasting impact on one’s mental health. The fear, anxiety, and hypervigilance that come with PTSD are not easy to live with, and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.
However, on the other hand, it’s hard to summon any sympathy for a man who has caused so much harm and suffering to countless others. From his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the deaths of thousands, to his cruel immigration policies that tore families apart, Trump’s actions have directly caused trauma and pain to many individuals.… Continue reading
The FDA recently made the decision to reject the use of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD, citing a myriad of concerns including poorly designed studies and allegations of sexual misconduct. As someone who works in the clinical trial space, I understand the strict guidelines and the importance of well-designed studies when it comes to getting approval from regulatory bodies like the FDA. It’s clear that the issues within the studies conducted for MDMA therapy need to be addressed before any progress can be made.
The therapeutic potential of MDMA for individuals struggling with PTSD is undeniable. I’ve heard firsthand accounts of the emotional breakthroughs and healing that can occur when utilizing this drug in a therapeutic setting.… Continue reading
Maine Democrat Platner Stays in Senate Race After Reddit Posts Surface, Apologizes
AP News reports that Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stated that controversial online comments made by U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner were wrong and offensive but not disqualifying. The comments, revealed in old Reddit posts, appeared to endorse political violence and criticize various groups. Platner has since apologized, citing post-traumatic stress disorder and depression experienced after leaving the Army, and has highlighted other posts showing his support for veterans and criticism of discrimination. Despite the controversy, some Democratic leaders continue to support Platner, while his political director resigned in response to the unearthed posts.
Read More
Michigan Church Shooting: Iraq War Veteran Suspected, Sparks Debate on Mental Health and Politics
Gunman in the Michigan LDS church shooting was a veteran of the Iraq War, and this fact immediately throws a spotlight on a complex intersection of issues. The veteran status, in itself, isn’t a cause, but it invites examination of the potential impact of combat experience, PTSD, and the challenges veterans face upon returning home. The military, and particularly the experience of war, can have profound effects on mental health, and the lack of adequate mental health support is a recurring theme when such tragedies occur.
The immediate response from some political factions often involves a familiar script. Some readily frame it as a “mental health issue,” while conveniently avoiding any deeper discussions about the underlying causes or the systemic problems that might contribute to such events.… Continue reading
Oklahoma Lawmaker’s Daughter Feared for Life After Van Run-Off Attempt
State Representative Ty Burns pleaded guilty to domestic abuse and assault charges after investigations revealed he attempted to run his van off the road with his daughter inside and tried to gouge out his wife’s eye. The incidents occurred in November 2024 and April 2025, with his daughter expressing fear that he would kill her during the vehicle chase. Burns received a one-year suspended sentence and was ordered to complete a batterer’s intervention program, also stepping down from his role as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee. Following the guilty plea, Burns expressed regret and took responsibility for his actions, citing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Read More
Purple Heart Veteran Self-Deports After Decades in U.S., Faces Deportation
Sae Joon Park, a U.S. Army veteran who served in the invasion of Panama, self-deported to South Korea after nearly five decades in the U.S. His removal stemmed from drug-related charges and failure to appear in court, stemming from untreated PTSD from his time in combat. Despite being awarded a Purple Heart and honorably discharged, Park struggled with addiction and the legal system, ultimately receiving a removal order. Facing imminent detention and deportation, Park chose voluntary departure, leaving behind his family and the country he had served.
Read More
Trump’s Deportation of Purple Heart Veteran: A Betrayal of Service and a Warning to All
This article details the case of Jose Barco, a Purple Heart recipient and Iraq War veteran, facing deportation to Venezuela despite serving in the U.S. Army. Barco, who suffers from PTSD and a traumatic brain injury sustained during combat, was arrested after his release from prison and now finds himself stateless. His situation highlights the Trump administration’s treatment of veterans, including widespread job cuts at the VA and the deportation of foreign-born service members. This case represents a broader issue affecting thousands of veterans and exposes a disregard for their service and well-being, particularly concerning the lack of access to adequate medical care.
Read More
Florida Teen Acquitted of Mother’s Murder After Father’s Killing
Following an 11-hour deliberation, a Florida jury acquitted 17-year-old Collin Griffith of first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of his mother. The acquittal came after his attorney argued self-defense, citing a history of abuse and threats from his mother, including a prior instance where she allegedly pulled a gun on him. This follows a previous self-defense acquittal for the killing of his father in Oklahoma. The defense successfully argued that Griffith’s actions stemmed from a disturbed mother-son relationship and his own documented PTSD.
Read More
Veteran’s Suicide Note Criticizes Government, Highlights Vet Treatment Crisis
Matthew Alan Livelsberger, a decorated Army veteran with PTSD, died in a self-inflicted gunshot wound after detonating a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Police found journal entries expressing grievances against U.S. leadership, describing the action as a “wake-up call” rather than a terrorist attack. The investigation revealed potential contributing factors including family issues and personal struggles, though no direct link to a separate New Orleans attack was established. Livelsberger’s military service and social media activity further informed the investigation into the incident.
Read More
Oregon’s 90-Day Solitary Limit: BLM Protester’s 250-Day Confinement Sparks Debate
Malik Muhammad, a disabled veteran with PTSD, received a ten-year sentence—the harshest for any 2020 protest-related case—after pleading guilty to multiple felonies involving participation in protests and a Molotov cocktail incident. Despite Oregon’s 90-day solitary confinement limit, he has spent over 250 days in solitary, with his attorney arguing that the prison circumvents the limit by transferring him between units while keeping him in the same cell. This prolonged solitary confinement, following an incident where guards tased and beat him, exacerbates his PTSD and is considered by his legal team to be a form of torture. His recent hunger strike, protesting these conditions, ended after prison officials made some progress towards moving him to the general population.
Read More
Trump Keeps Watching Shooting Clip: ‘May Legit Have PTSD’
As I read about Trump continuing to watch the shooting clip and potentially experiencing PTSD, I can’t help but feel conflicted. On one hand, as someone who has personally struggled with PTSD from my time in the army, I understand how traumatic experiences can leave a lasting impact on one’s mental health. The fear, anxiety, and hypervigilance that come with PTSD are not easy to live with, and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.
However, on the other hand, it’s hard to summon any sympathy for a man who has caused so much harm and suffering to countless others. From his mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the deaths of thousands, to his cruel immigration policies that tore families apart, Trump’s actions have directly caused trauma and pain to many individuals.… Continue reading
FDA rejects MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD
The FDA recently made the decision to reject the use of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD, citing a myriad of concerns including poorly designed studies and allegations of sexual misconduct. As someone who works in the clinical trial space, I understand the strict guidelines and the importance of well-designed studies when it comes to getting approval from regulatory bodies like the FDA. It’s clear that the issues within the studies conducted for MDMA therapy need to be addressed before any progress can be made.
The therapeutic potential of MDMA for individuals struggling with PTSD is undeniable. I’ve heard firsthand accounts of the emotional breakthroughs and healing that can occur when utilizing this drug in a therapeutic setting.… Continue reading