The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made a significant move by letting go of over 1,000 workers, as announced on February 13. Among those affected were probationary employees, who had been with the agency for less than two years.
Importantly, none of these terminated workers were serving in “mission-critical positions,” which ensures that essential services won’t be disrupted.
The VA anticipates saving more than $98 million annually through these terminations. VA Secretary Doug Collins mentioned, “At VA, we are focused on saving money so it can be better spent on Veteran care.”
He expressed gratitude for the service of the departing employees and emphasized that this difficult decision supports the veterans and their families.
Collins further assured that these changes would not affect VA health care or benefits. He stated that plans would soon be rolled out to redirect these resources to better serve veterans, their families, and caregivers. The move aligns with President Trump’s efforts to streamline government efficiency.
The Department of Government Efficiency, under the leadership of Elon Musk, has been evaluating various federal agencies as part of this initiative.
In line with this, the Trump administration offered buyouts to federal employees, with about 75,000 taking the offer. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed this during a recent briefing.
A new executive order signed by President Trump mandates that for every four employees who leave, only one new hire can be made.
Each agency head is required to collaborate with DOGE to ensure that new hires are necessary and that positions remain vacant if advised. Leavitt underscored the importance of this collaboration in reducing the federal workforce.
VA employees who opted for the buyout offer, which secures employment until September 30, were not part of the recent terminations.
Some of those let go included researchers, which drew criticism from Senator Patty Murray. She accused the administration of making indiscriminate cuts and demanded more information from the VA.
The American Federation of Government Employees voiced concerns about the firings, stating that the VA’s longstanding staffing issues would worsen. They described the mass terminations as reckless and harmful to veterans’ services. Despite the criticism, Musk and Trump stood by their decisions.
Musk argued that reducing federal expenses is essential for America’s financial health. He emphasized the necessity of maintaining resources for citizens rather than increasing debt. Trump added that the reduction in government size is crucial, asserting, “We have too many people.”
As of early 2024, the VA employed approximately 472,000 individuals, including part-time and seasonal workers. Collins mentioned that there are still over 43,000 probationary employees at the VA.
This reduction is seen as part of a broader effort to make the government more efficient and fiscally responsible.
