The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is preparing to eliminate over 80,000 jobs as part of a broader effort to scale back to 2019 staffing levels. The move, which aligns with President Donald Trump’s goal of shrinking the federal workforce, has sparked intense criticism from veterans’ groups, Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans who argue the cuts could endanger vital services for former military personnel.
Massive Workforce Reductions
A memo from VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek, issued on Tuesday, directed senior officials to work with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to carry out the cuts. The goal is to return the agency’s workforce to pre-2020 levels—just under 400,000 employees—by eliminating positions added during the Biden administration. This includes jobs created to support veterans exposed to toxic burn pits under the 2022 PACT Act.
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The VA’s downsizing effort is significantly larger than proposed cuts at other federal agencies. With an estimated 25 percent of VA employees being veterans themselves, the job reductions could have a far-reaching impact on those who depend on the agency for medical care and benefits.
“We regret anyone losing their job, and it’s extraordinarily difficult for me, especially as a VA leader, to make these types of decisions,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter. “But the federal government does not exist to employ people—it exists to serve people.”
Political and Public Backlash
The cuts have been met with fierce resistance from veterans’ organizations, labor unions, and lawmakers. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents 311,000 VA employees, condemned the move. “Veterans and their families will suffer unnecessarily,” he said.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, described the plan as a “full-scale, no-holds-barred assault on veterans.” Similarly, Senator Richard Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, accused the Trump administration of pushing an agenda to privatize VA services. “It’s a shameful betrayal,” he said in a statement.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, also expressed concern over the scale of the planned reductions. “I’m sure the VA can be reduced, but if you’re a veteran reading this, it kind of rattles you,” he told reporters.
Department of Government Efficiency
The job cuts are part of a broader restructuring of the federal government spearheaded by Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency. Tasked by Trump with streamlining federal operations, Musk has advocated for reducing government spending by up to $2 trillion annually.
Since the initiative began, around 25,000 federal employees have been fired, while another 75,000 have accepted buyouts. Musk and his team argue that these cuts will eliminate inefficiencies, but critics warn they could severely disrupt government services.
According to the internal VA memo, the department will undergo an agency-wide restructuring in August, aiming to “resize and tailor the workforce to align with the mission and revised structure.” VA leadership has been instructed to move forward aggressively while maintaining a “pragmatic and disciplined approach.”
Effects on Veteran Services
While VA officials insist that veteran benefits will not be impacted, many remain skeptical. The agency has already terminated more than 1,400 employees in a first round of layoffs, including 1,000 on February 13. Some of these dismissals reportedly targeted employees involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs—an area Trump has criticized.
Officials estimate that the cuts will save approximately $83 million annually, which they claim will be redirected to essential health care and benefits. However, former VA Inspector General Michael Missal warned that the agency is already suffering from a loss of expertise. “What’s going to happen is VA’s not going to perform as well for veterans, and veterans are going to get harmed,” he said.
Veterans’ groups fear that reduced staffing will lead to longer wait times for medical care, delayed benefits processing, and diminished support services. Naveed Shah, political director of Common Defense, a grassroots veterans’ group, criticized the decision: “He’s gutting the system that was designed to care for our brothers and sisters in arms.”
Broader Federal Workforce Cuts
The VA layoffs are part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to shrink the federal bureaucracy. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently issued guidance allowing agencies to determine the fate of probationary employees, many of whom have already been let go. However, a federal judge recently blocked a directive ordering mass terminations of probationary workers, temporarily reinstating thousands of USDA employees who had been dismissed.
Despite this setback, the administration remains committed to cutting federal jobs. Representative Marcy Kaptur sounded the alarm about the ongoing layoffs, stating that nearly 6,000 veterans have already lost their jobs under Trump and Musk’s initiative. “These aren’t just numbers—these are vets who served our country and now risk losing their livelihoods,” she said.
What Comes Next?
As the VA moves forward with its workforce reduction, the full impact on veteran services remains unclear. While administration officials insist that care will not be affected, many advocates and lawmakers remain unconvinced. “Their plan prioritizes private sector profits over veterans’ care,” Blumenthal said. “It’s a shameful betrayal, and veterans will pay the price for their unforgivable corruption, incompetence, and immorality.”
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The VA has promised further announcements regarding how resources will be allocated in the coming months. However, with bipartisan criticism mounting, the administration may face legal and political hurdles in implementing its workforce reduction strategy.