Project 2025 is a blueprint that could have a major impact on veterans, with potential changes to their employment situation, along with their aid and benefits.
The project suggests downsizing federal government workers by about 50% within a year and 75% in four years. In some of these workplaces, about 30% are veterans. Most of the agencies suggested by Project 2025 to be shut down are filled with veterans who served the country and decided to continue their services in a civilian capacity. Veterans as a group often show rare dedication, with discipline and unique skill sets not easily found in the private sector.
Major employees with a significant numbers of veterans include the FBI and Department of Justice and these are also the target of Project 2025, which aims to drastically cut jobs in these agencies. Aside from the employment and salary, these jobs help veterans have a sense of community and purpose as the job descriptions involve maintaining law and order at which they are particularly adept as they are transitioning from military service to civilian roles.
Federal job reduction amid an ongoing economic recovery is not a move to be taken lightly as these veterans have already given much for their country and should not have to pay the price for what could be seen as hasty political decisions.
Project 2025 and the Department of Veterans Affairs
Project 2025 is a 900-page blueprint led by the Heritage Foundation, the American top conservative think tank with many ties to Trump’s White House in his first term of office. Many political analysts, together with Democrats, suspect that Trump has been significantly involved in drafting Project 2025 as most of the agenda in the project aligns with what are seen as his plans for the second term.
However, Donald Trump has denied having any connection with Project 2025. He said on social media: “I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it.”
He further added, “I disagree with some of the things they’re saying” and he added that some of their assertions were “absolutely ridiculous and abysmal.” However he also said he agrees with much of what the Heritage Foundation says, and many of the people involved remain close to him.
What does Project 2025 say about Veteran Affairs?
A section in Project 2025 calls for reforming the Veteran Affairs Department. For example, there would be a cancellation of all clinical policy directives in the department that are contrary to the principles of conservative governance. This includes ending abortion services and gender reassignment surgery. The project states that the Biden administration’s focus on “social equity and inclusion” has weakened veterans’ care.
Aside from the change in healthcare, the project also suggests cutting jobs by 50% in the first year and about 75% in four years. The targeted agencies whose major staff and employees are veterans include the FBI and DOJ, amongst others. These veterans decided to take up civilian roles after serving the country in the military.
According to critics, downsizing program will undermine not only the efficiency and efficacy of the federal government but also the livelihoods of tens of thousands of veterans. These actions would have serious consequences that might affect the nation in the long run as they have betrayed our veterans and weakened the fabric of the nation’s administration.
