The Department of Veterans Affairs currently employs over 471,000 people|Adam Fagen|CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The Trump administration plans to eliminate more than 70,000 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), aiming to reduce staffing to 2019 levels of 399,957 workers.
An internal memo from VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek states the department, in partnership with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will aggressively restructure and resize its workforce.
The VA was expanded under former president Joe Biden, particularly for the PACT Act, which supports veterans exposed to toxins.
Critics warn these cuts could harm veterans’ care. However, VA Secretary Doug Collins says the department will continue hiring for 300,000 “mission-critical” positions protecting health care and benefits for beneficiaries.
The VA currently employs over 471,000 people.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon plans to reduce civilian staff by up to 8%, starting with 5,400 probationary workers. Job cuts are also coming for the IRS, according to the New York Times.