Douglas Collins
Doug Collins: Controversies and Biography (2025 Update)
Doug Collins, the former U.S. Representative from Georgia and current Secretary of Veterans Affairs under Donald Trump, has long been a lightning rod for controversy. Known more for partisan combativeness than policy acumen, Collins’ appointment to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has renewed scrutiny of his record on ethics, extremism, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Major Controversies
Inflammatory Rhetoric About Democrats and Terrorism
In January 2020, Collins falsely accused Democrats of being “in love with terrorists” in response to their criticism of Trump’s decision to assassinate Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. His remarks were condemned as inflammatory and deeply disrespectful to military families, especially by veterans like Sen. Tammy Duckworth. Though Collins issued a half-hearted apology, critics viewed it as politically motivated damage control rather than genuine remorse.
Defending Racist Trump Comments
When Donald Trump infamously told four Democratic congresswomen of color to “go back” to where they came from in July 2019, Collins defended the remarks, claiming they were about patriotism, not race. His dismissive tone and refusal to acknowledge the racism inherent in the statement outraged civil rights advocates and reinforced his image as a Trump sycophant willing to ignore bigotry for political loyalty.
Ties to Controversial Figures and Ethics Questions
Collins campaigned alongside Rep. Matt Gaetz during his 2020 Senate run, even as Gaetz was under federal investigation for sex trafficking (later dropped). Though Collins himself was not charged, the alliance raised eyebrows. Separately, Collins was scrutinized in 2018 for suspicious stock trades while in Congress. Though cleared, watchdogs pointed to the incident as part of a broader pattern of ethically questionable behavior.
Anti-LGBTQ+ Record
Collins has repeatedly opposed LGBTQ+ rights, voting against the Equality Act in 2019 and co-sponsoring legislation in 2015 to block same-sex marriage protections. He also defended a military chaplain who called homosexuality “sinful” and “unnatural,” aligning with hardline religious conservatives. Human rights groups have consistently rated his voting record as anti-LGBTQ+, raising concerns about his ability to serve a diverse veteran population.
Election Denialism and #StopTheSteal Involvement
In the wake of Trump’s 2020 loss, Collins joined the baseless crusade to overturn the election. He supported the Texas v. Pennsylvania lawsuit and amplified Trump’s conspiracy theories about voter fraud in Georgia—claims debunked by both Republican and Democratic officials. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger directly called Collins a “liar,” accusing him of undermining democracy to serve Trump’s interests.
Doug Collins – Biography
Full Name: Douglas Allen Collins
Born: August 16, 1966 (age 58) in Gainesville, Georgia
Political Party: Republican
Current Position: 12th U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs (since February 5, 2025)
Past Roles: U.S. Representative, GA-9 (2013–2021); Georgia State House, District 27 (2007–2013)
Education: B.A., North Georgia College; M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; J.D., John Marshall Law School
Spouse: Lisa Collins
Children: 3
Military and Early Career
Collins served as a Southern Baptist pastor before joining the Air Force Reserve as a chaplain in 2002. He deployed to Iraq (2008–2009) and eventually rose to the rank of colonel. While praised by some for his service, others question whether his religious ideology influences his public policy decisions—particularly on LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights.
Political Career
Elected to Georgia’s House in 2006, Collins quickly aligned with the far-right wing of the Republican Party. He entered Congress in 2013, becoming a high-profile Trump defender during the 2019 impeachment proceedings. Known for aggressive TV appearances and partisan loyalty, Collins failed to secure a U.S. Senate seat in 2020, losing to Kelly Loeffler in the GOP primary.
Despite his combative history, Trump tapped him to lead the VA in 2025, raising concerns about his lack of healthcare or administrative experience in managing one of the government’s most complex agencies.
Recent Developments (2025)
Since becoming Secretary of Veterans Affairs on February 5, 2025, Collins has moved swiftly to implement Trump-aligned reforms. He abolished the VA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs by February 21 and announced a plan to fire over 2,400 probationary employees in coordination with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While Trump loyalists cheered the cuts, veterans’ groups expressed alarm, warning of understaffing and ideological purges.
His public relations campaign has included frequent appearances on right-wing media and inflammatory X posts, promoting “America First” reforms but offering few substantive improvements for veterans still facing long wait times, benefit delays, and staff shortages.
Personal Life
Collins lives in Gainesville, Georgia, with his wife Lisa, a public school teacher. They have three children. Deeply religious and politically ambitious, Collins chaired Georgia’s America First Policy Institute prior to joining Trump’s second administration.
Conclusion
Doug Collins’ career reflects the increasingly partisan, conspiratorial, and culture-war-driven direction of the modern Republican Party. From election denialism and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation to inflammatory rhetoric and Trumpist loyalty, Collins brings controversy—not credibility—to the Department of Veterans Affairs.