VETERANS, NATIONAL SECURITY & MORE COULD BE HURT BY FEDERAL JOB CUTS
The United States continues to face major changes within and outside of its government, including the cutting of many federal jobs affecting employees throughout the country. Experts are now warning that Veterans will likely be negatively impacted as a result of federal jobs being laid off. This includes a notable number of Veterans who will face unemployment, those in need of healthcare, and even our nation’s security will have large hurdles to overcome.
Veterans to Face Challenges Related to Federal Jobs Being Cut
From labor and government accountability experts to workers' unions, there are plenty of voices raising concerns for Veterans over the Trump administration’s plan to shake up federal jobs.
Opponents believe Trump’s moves could hurt national security, care for Veterans, and job opportunities.
One of Trump’s first Executive Orders (EOs) reclassifies career government employees in policy roles, stripping their job protections.
This means they could be fired anytime—even for not being loyal enough to the administration’s agenda—in what is a controversial, worrying implication critics worry could turn government agencies into political machines.
New Classifications Due April 2025
Trump's executive order gives each government agency the power to decide which employees fall under the new classifications as he continues to look for ways to cut spending.
Agencies have until April 2025 to submit their lists, which is adding to some of the issues facing Veterans due to these federal jobs going away. Specifically, because this means the full impact of the EO isn’t clear yet.
However, experts warn that the broad language could apply to almost any government worker—from The Pentagon to someone working in the VA handling the claims of Veterans in need of benefits.
Speaking on the matter, Joe Spielberger, an expert working for the watchdog group that helps keep the government accountable, said the following, "It could really sweep up just about anyone, it seems. Especially when we're talking about agencies like the Pentagon that obviously (have) both such a critical role to play and also where we might see some of the greatest threats, like deploying the military domestically, it's hard to overstate the potential consequences of this."
Overall, this initiative could put many careers at risk. All while negatively impacting Vets and pushing a one-sided political agenda.
Eliminating the “Deep State”
Trump’s decision behind the new EO mirrors his previous “Schedule F” plan from his first term and has varying motives that go beyond simply cutting costs within the budget.
The President continues to take aim at the “deep state,” which he believes is working against the United States and is found within career officials who are no longer needed.
Under former President Joe Biden, Trump’s initial order was disbanded in 2021 and protections for civil servants were reinforced.
It should be no surprise that Trump’s team is arguing that those protections no longer apply.
More to Come for Veterans Due to Trump’s Federal Job Cuts
It’s not that these changes are a major surprise, but the way they are unfolding is still a lot for the Veteran community and general public altogether.
A hiring freeze is already in place and employees working on diversity-focused programs are also on leave.
Furthermore, workers are being offered "deferred resignation" deals to incentivize federal workers to leave.
Many federal jobs are filled by Veterans, and the population is even provided preference for those who qualify when applying for positions.
The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) sued the Trump administration over the EO on the same day it was signed, with between 50,000 and 100,000 federal workers, of which, 30% of the workforce is made up of Vets.
Trump’s plan to cut federal jobs is complex, and wide-reaching, and cannot afford to account for the thousands of Veterans directly and indirectly impacted by this decision.
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