Huge layoffs in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are underway, as it plans to lose over 80,000 jobs shortly. The impending layoffs bring a flood of questions and apprehensions among veterans, employees, and the general public. So let’s look at the details, including how far back the layoffs will reach, the timeline, and the potential impact.
How many layoffs are planned at the Department of Veterans Affairs?
The Department of Veterans Affairs is reportedly considering cutting as many as about 83,000 jobs, according to a memorandum dated March 6, 2025. The intention for this plan was to reach a total number of employees just below 400,000, approximately the same number the department had in 2019.
When will the layoffs take place?
The internal memo outlines the following timeline for the layoffs:
- May 9, 2025: Completion of an internal review to assess the reorganization plan.
- June 2025: Publication of the finalized reorganization plan.
- August 2025: Initiation of the layoffs, formally referred to as a “reduction in force.”
What prompted the decision for such a large-scale reduction?
The planned layoffs are part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to streamline federal agencies and reduce government spending. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is spearheading efforts to eliminate waste and increase workforce efficiency across various federal departments, including the VA.
Read more: How do I maximize my VA benefits? A comprehensive guide for veterans
How will these layoffs impact veterans’ services?
VA Secretary Doug Collins assured that the reductions won’t negatively affect veterans’ benefits or health care. Speaking in a video message, Collins guaranteed that the department is committed to providing the best possible care and benefits to veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. He stated, “To be perfectly clear, these moves will not negatively impact VA health care, benefits, or beneficiaries.”
Yet there are issues brought up by various stakeholders:
- Veterans organizations: Organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars have criticized the layoffs, arguing that they would damage veterans’ access to important services.
- Lawmakers: Democrats and a few Republicans expressed alarm at the impact on care for veterans. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Richard Blumenthal stated the reduction in jobs would “roll back the PACT Act by eliminating 80,000 jobs—including 20,000 veterans—while starving VA’s ability to meet growing demand.”
How does this fit into the broader context of federal workforce reductions?
The VA’s planned layoffs are part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to reduce the federal workforce by 20% this year. Other agencies, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), are also facing significant cuts. NOAA, for instance, is set to lay off over 1,000 employees in its second round of cuts.
What has been the response from political leaders?
The statement has raised bipartisan concern:
- Senator Patty Murray (D-WA): The ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee labeled the firings a “full-scale, no-holds-barred assault on veterans” by President Trump that would put veterans’ health benefits in “grave danger.”
- Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC): He criticized the failure to seek advice from Congress, calling the action “political malpractice.”
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