Veterans Fired in DOGE Cuts Feel Betrayed, Including Who Voted for Trump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Thousands of veterans are losing their federal jobs as part of Trump’s aggressive downsizing of government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Many former service members, including some who voted for Trump, say they feel blindsided and betrayed. The administration defends the cuts, citing cost-saving measures, but critics argue it disproportionately affects those who served their country.
Veterans Fired as Trump Slashes Federal Workforce
Key Takeaways at a Glance
- Trump’s government downsizing leads to mass veteran layoffs.
- Veterans make up 30% of the federal workforce.
- Many fired without warning, citing “performance issues”.
- White House defends move, calls it a cost-saving measure.
- Veterans say they feel betrayed, including Trump voters.
Veterans Fired in DOGE Cuts Feel Betrayed, Including Who Voted for Trump
Mass Layoffs Impact Veterans Across the Federal Workforce
Nathan Hooven, a disabled Air Force veteran, was among the thousands of federal employees fired since President Donald Trump took office in January.
Hooven, who voted for Trump in November, lost his job at a Virginia VA medical facility in February. Now, he says he feels betrayed.
“I think a lot of veterans voted for him, and we have been betrayed,” Hooven said. “Our lives are being destroyed.”
The Trump administration’s push to shrink the federal workforce has disproportionately affected veterans, who make up 30% of all government employees.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) alone is planning to cut over 80,000 jobs, according to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press. Veterans represent more than 25% of the VA’s workforce.
Fired Without Warning—Veterans Speak Out
Many veterans say they were fired with no prior notice, often receiving emails citing “performance issues”, despite positive job reviews.
- James Stancil, a 62-year-old Army veteran, was fired from his VA job in Milwaukee.
- Cynthia Williams, an Army veteran from Michigan, said the layoffs were “blindsiding”.
- Jared Evans, a 36-year-old Army veteran, was fired from his VA therapist job just eight months in.
“I cried,” Evans said. “I haven’t done that in a while. It feels like I’m free falling.”
Many veterans moved across the country for their VA jobs, uprooting families—only to be let go with no severance.
White House Defends Cuts, Citing “Fiscal Responsibility”
The Trump administration has defended the layoffs, arguing that the federal workforce needs to be reduced to save taxpayer money.
White House counselor Alina Habba, a former Trump attorney, dismissed concerns over veteran firings.
“We are going to care for them in the right way,” she said. “But perhaps they’re not fit to have a job at this moment.”
The administration has previously said the firings are part of an effort to eliminate “lazy” or “unproductive” federal employees.
Even Trump Supporters Feel Betrayed
Veterans have traditionally been a strong base of support for Trump. Nearly 60% of veterans voted for him in 2024, according to AP VoteCast.
However, some are now regretting their choice.
- Matthew Sims, an Army veteran, lost his job at a VA mental health clinic in Virginia.
- Sims voted for Trump, supports reducing government waste, but said the layoffs were reckless.
- “It’s like the chainsaw approach instead of surgical cuts,” Sims said.
Others, like Williams, believe that if veterans had known this was coming, they wouldn’t have voted for Trump.
“He said he wanted to make the country great again… but this is not making it great again.”
Congress Calls for Answers
Last month, House Democrats estimated thousands of veterans had lost their jobs but say the exact number is unknown.
“Trump is betraying the very people who served this country,” said Rep. Mark Takano, top Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee.
What’s Next?
Veterans across the country are scrambling to find new jobs as layoffs continue. Many say they never imagined they would be treated this way after serving their country.
With more job cuts expected, the Trump administration will likely face increasing backlash—even from its own supporters.
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