Elon Musk Continues Attacks on Veterans, Pushes to Fire 80,000 Additional VA Workers

The VA has been severely understaffed for years, causing veterans to have to wait too long for the care they need. New hiring waves took place after Congress passed the PACT Act that promises benefits to veterans who either died or became ill as a result of exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

The federal government is the largest employer of veterans, who make up about 30 percent of the federal workforce compared to only 6 percent in the civilian workforce. More than 640,000 veterans work for the federal government. More than half of them are disabled. The administration fired 2,400 probationary employees last month. Veterans fired from their jobs feel betrayed.

AFGE is calling on Congress to intervene.

“Until Elon Musk and Donald Trump came on the scene, America never turned its back on our veterans and their families. Their reckless plan to wipe out the VA’s ability to deliver on America’s promise to veterans will backfire on millions of veterans and their families who risked their lives in service for our country,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley.

“These soon-to-be fired workers are patriotic Americans who chose to work at the VA because they genuinely care for the welfare of veterans and their families. They take to heart the department’s mission 'to care for him who shall have borne the battle’,” he added. “On behalf of the 311,000 VA employees AFGE represents, I call on Congress to intervene in these un-American tactics and put a stop to Elon Musk’s DOGE rampage through America’s most cherished agencies in a blatant attempt to justify privatizing government services.”

Members of Congress called VA Secretary Doug Collins out on his walking back on the promises not to make any cuts that would harm veterans. They said Congress allowed the VA workforce to grow to deliver care and benefits to veterans under the PACT Act. Claims processors, IT professionals and other support staff were hired so veterans can access benefits like disability compensation and education benefits under the G.I. Bill.  

“You have promised on several occasions that any reductions in the VA workforce will not impact delivery of care and benefits to veterans,” a group of 21 senators and House representatives led by House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Mark Takano and Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal said in a March 6 letter to the VA secretary. “It defies logic and reason that the agency could cut an additional 83,000 employees, beyond the 2,400 or more you have already terminated, without healthcare and benefits being interrupted.”

The lawmakers asked the secretary to brief their staff about the planned reorganization and reduction in force by March 10 and to provide answers to the questions included in the letter by March 12, including details about the RIF and people who work for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).