"Let me be clear: This image is not banned from VA facilities – and we will keep it in VA facilities," wrote VA Secretary Denis McDonough in a post to X.

McDonough was responding to a memo written by RimaAnn Nelson, who serves as the assistant undersecretary for health for operations at the VA's Health Network sub-agency, who - according to the maybe real memo, directed regional officials to remove teh photo from all health facilities "to foster a more trauma-informed environment."

A screenshot obtained by the DCNF appears to show an email sent out by the Office of the Assistant Under Secretary of Health for Operations' communications team to an listserv of Veterans Integrated Services Networks directors announcing the policy change.

The email's subject line is "Operational memorandum: Removal and Replacement of 'V-J Day in Times Square' Photographs" and the email is dated Feb. 29, 2024.

"The Office of the Assistant Under Secretary of Health for Operations is sending the attached memorandum … on behalf of the VHA, Assault and Harassment Prevention Office," the email states, directing recipients to share the memo with leaders of their respective VA medical centers. -Daily Caller

Nelson suggested that the kiss was 'non-consensual,' and violates the VA's policies toward sexual harrassment and assault, she said in the memo. "However, perspectives on historical events and their representations evolve."