The Trump administration is making some major cuts, and this time, it’s hitting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hard. According to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press, over 80,000 jobs are on the chopping block as part of a massive reorganization effort.
Christopher Syrek, VA’s chief of staff, made it clear in the memo that the administration is dead set on slashing staffing levels back to 2019 numbers—which means rolling back the expansion under the Biden administration. This move comes as the VA was still hiring more personnel to support the 2022 PACT Act, a law meant to aid veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
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The memo, which Government Executive first reported on, directs officials to prepare for a full-blown agency shake-up in August, stating:
“Resize and tailor the workforce to the mission and revised structure.”
It also tells agency leaders to move fast and execute the administration’s agenda in coordination with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—which, interestingly, is now being spearheaded by none other than billionaire Elon Musk.
Veterans Are Already Feeling the Impact
It ain’t just talk. The cuts have already begun.
Veterans and VA employees are sounding the alarm, saying the agency has already lost thousands of employees and terminated hundreds of contracts under Trump’s latest restructuring plans. This isn’t just a bureaucratic shake-up—vets rely on these services for healthcare, benefits, and long-term support.
The numbers don’t lie: more than 25% of the VA’s workforce is made up of veterans themselves. So, these cuts aren’t just about job losses; this is vets helping vets, and now, they’re getting pushed out.
Former VA Inspector General Michael Missal, who was fired last month as part of Trump’s latest moves against independent oversight, warned that this mass job elimination could cripple the VA’s ability to serve those who need it most:
“What’s going to happen is VA’s not going to perform as well for veterans, and veterans are going to get harmed.”
That’s straight from the man who saved the VA over $45 billion by cutting fraud and waste during his tenure. And yet, instead of taking that expertise seriously, Trump’s administration has been aggressively firing watchdogs across federal agencies.
Why Is This Happening? The Trump-Musk Connection
If you thought this was just about budget cuts, think again. This is bigger than the VA—it’s part of a larger Trump administration agenda to downsize the federal government under the guise of efficiency.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is now run by Elon Musk, and let’s just say, he’s not holding back. This initiative is going after multiple federal agencies, even ones that traditionally have bipartisan support like the VA.
This is a wild shift in how the government operates. Instead of working with longtime experts to fix inefficiencies, the administration is gutting entire agencies and leaving veterans, government employees, and contractors scrambling.
Congress Reacts: Divided and Watching Closely
Democrats are already slamming the cuts, saying they will cripple veteran services and put lives at risk.
Republicans? They’re watching cautiously, with some backing the administration’s plans while others worry about blowback from veterans—a core GOP voting bloc.
Missal and seven other fired inspectors general are now challenging their dismissals in court, arguing that Trump’s actions violate laws requiring oversight before these watchdogs can be removed.
In the meantime, thousands of VA employees—and the veterans they serve—are being left in the dark.
What This Means for Veterans Moving Forward
Let’s keep it real—this is not just another budget cut. This is an entire system getting reworked under Trump’s administration.
With 80,000 jobs on the line, the quality of care for millions of veterans is at risk. If these cuts happen the way the memo suggests, veterans across the country could face longer wait times, fewer healthcare options, and reduced services—all while the administration pushes its government-wide downsizing agenda.
