Trump Admin to Slash 80,000 Employees from Veterans Affairs/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A leaked internal memo reveals that the Trump administration plans to cut 80,000 jobs from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), reducing staffing to pre-2019 levels. The move is part of a broader government downsizing effort led by billionaire Elon Musk under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Critics, including former VA inspector general Michael Missal, warn that these cuts will harm veterans’ healthcare and slow down services. Democrats and veterans’ groups are calling the decision a betrayal of those who served.
Trump’s VA Job Cuts: Quick Look
- 80,000 Jobs Cut: Memo confirms massive VA workforce reduction by August.
- DOGE Oversight: Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency spearheading cuts.
- Veterans Impacted: One in four VA employees is a veteran.
- Bipartisan Concerns: Republicans cautious, Democrats strongly opposed to the plan.
- Legal Challenges: Fired watchdogs contest Trump’s crackdown on oversight officials.
Trump Admin to Slash 80,000 Employees from Veterans Affairs
VA Faces Massive Workforce Reductions
The memo, circulated by VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek, directs top VA officials to prepare for a major restructuring in August. The goal is to cut staffing back to 2019 levels, reversing workforce expansions made under the Biden administration, including those related to the 2022 PACT Act, which provided healthcare coverage for burn pit-exposed veterans.
The move is part of a broader government downsizing strategy led by billionaire Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The memo emphasizes the need to “move out aggressively” while taking a “pragmatic and disciplined approach” to slashing the workforce.
Watchdogs and Veterans Sound the Alarm
Veterans and former VA officials are warning of serious consequences.
Michael Missal, the former VA inspector general fired by Trump last month, said the VA is already losing expertise due to staff resignations, reassignments, and hiring freezes.
“What’s going to happen is VA’s not going to perform as well for veterans, and veterans are going to get harmed,” Missal told the AP.
Missal, who oversaw $45 billion in recovered VA funds during his tenure, was dismissed as part of Trump’s purge of government watchdogs. He is currently challenging his firing in court, along with seven other former inspectors general.
Congressional Backlash to VA Downsizing
Democrats are denouncing the cuts, calling them a betrayal of America’s veterans.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said Trump’s plan “prioritizes private sector profits over veterans’ care”.
“This is an all-out assault on the progress we’ve made,” Blumenthal said. “It’s a shameful betrayal.”
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) echoed these concerns at a press conference on Wednesday:
“Democrats are here to say in unison: We will not allow our veterans to be defined as government waste.”
Republicans Show Cautious Support
While Republicans have largely backed Trump’s push for a smaller government, some are concerned about the impact on veterans’ healthcare.
Privately, some GOP lawmakers worry that deep staffing cuts could trigger a crisis within the VA, leading to longer wait times, overwhelmed facilities, and reduced benefits.
A GOP Senate aide, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted:
“No Republican wants to be blamed for failing veterans. This could backfire.”
Trump’s War on Federal Oversight
Beyond the VA, Trump’s downsizing efforts are targeting agencies across the government.
His administration has:
- Ordered federal lease terminations for thousands of office spaces.
- Fired over a dozen inspectors general, including those at VA, DOJ, and Pentagon.
- Directed federal workers to return to in-office work full-time, despite agency pushback.
Missal, the former VA watchdog, warned that Trump’s broader strategy undermines accountability.
“He’s removing the very people who can prevent fraud and waste,” he said.
What’s Next?
The VA workforce cuts will officially take effect in August, barring any legal or congressional intervention.
Meanwhile, Democrats are mobilizing to block the cuts, while veterans’ organizations are preparing for a public campaign against the move.
With the 2026 midterms looming, Trump’s aggressive government downsizing could become a defining issue—not just for veterans, but for millions of federal workers across the country.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.