One of the first actions taken by the newly-created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was to fire thousands of government employees—many of whom are disabled veterans—from their jobs across multiple federal agencies. The affected agencies include the Department of Veterans Affairs, which now seeks to remove more than 83,000 civil servants from positions that support our nation’s heroes.
During DAV’s congressional testimony in February, bipartisan members of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees asked us to bring them examples of veterans being adversely impacted as a result of the White House’s efforts to downsize the federal government.
Shortly thereafter, DAV released a call-to-action to hear from those whose federal employment has been terminated as a result of DOGE’s mission. Below, you can find just a handful of the many submissions we received. They are disabled veterans, retired military members, civil servants, moms, dads, friends and neighbors—all of whom honorably served our nation in uniform only to later be discounted by the same federal government they devoted their lives to serve.
Fired from Department of Veterans Affairs
“We all understand that everyone has to sacrifice, but I wish somebody understood how differently this could have been done rather than just a panic and no processes. And I’m relying on those who represent me and my family to hopefully speak up or be able to speak up in a way that I can’t.”
Fired from General Service Administration
“I hope that whoever is doing it—the president, DOGE, Elon Musk or whoever—I hope they really sit down and be like, ‘Hey, we are really affecting these veterans here.’You know, financial wise and mental health wise.”
Fired from Federal Emergency Management Agency
“As a veteran, military spouse, and primary provider for my family, this decision has placed an overwhelming burden on me and has caused severe personal, financial, and professional harm, impacting every aspect of my life—my family, stability, career, and well-being.”
Fired from Department of Veterans Affairs
“I found out I lost my job off the clock, on my day off—without a warning, without a meeting, without even a termination letter. Just a locked computer screen and a stunned supervisor confirming the news. And here’s the worst part: the veterans lost more than I did.”
Fired from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
“I lost my way to provide for my family, our health care, my purpose and call-to-service. My piece of mind is hurt, and I feel betrayed and angry for being the target of these lies. The nation will become less safe from cyber threat actors.”
Fired from Federal Aviation Administration
“I have heard the public state we are a drain on the taxpayers and should be considered an expense. This takes a toll on my emotional health since I have led a life of service and giving back to the American public. It is also my primary source of income and now I will be cutting out some things in my life to ensure I can pay my bills.”
Fired from Department of Veterans Affairs
“I was one of four budget analysts for a VA hospital in charge of maintaining our facility’s over $1 billion budget. I love working at the VA and still getting to serve those who have served, like myself. This wasn’t just a job for me.”
Fired from Department of Veterans Affairs
“A lot of research that happens in the medical field is done through VA’s on veterans. And, yeah, it’s a vital part of the VA system and a vital part of our country’s medical system.”
Experienced lack of care due to cuts at VA
“Cutting services to veterans is pulling the rug out from under us. We served our country with very little compensation while putting our literal lives on the line. If we had disappeared while in service, we would have been court-martialed and imprisoned. Now, many of us depend on healthcare services from our country in return. We deserve for that commitment to be honored without encountering dangerous delays in our care.”
92entries