WASHINGTON, Mar 6 – In a sweeping effort to restructure the federal workforce, the Trump administration is set to cut over 70,000 employees from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), according to a report by CNN.
An internal memo dated Tuesday, signed by VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek, outlines plans for an aggressive restructuring of the department in collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The initiative aims to “resize” the VA workforce, bringing staffing levels back to 2019 figures of just under 400,000 employees—a move that could see tens of thousands losing their jobs.
Since the DOGE, led by billionaire Elon Musk, began operations in late January, over 30,000 federal employees have already been laid off nationwide. In addition, the White House has confirmed that approximately 75,000 federal employees have opted for a “buyout” package, offering them eight months’ salary in exchange for deferred resignation.
In total, more than 100,000 federal positions have been eliminated—roughly 4.5% of the federal workforce, which currently stands at 2.3 million employees. The administration is now approaching its stated goal of reducing the federal workforce by 5-10%.
The move is expected to have far-reaching implications, particularly for the delivery of services to veterans, who rely on the VA for healthcare, benefits, and support. Critics argue that such a drastic reduction could overburden remaining staff and disrupt critical programs, while proponents claim it is a necessary step toward government efficiency.
As the restructuring unfolds, questions remain about the long-term impact of these cuts on the veterans’ healthcare system and the federal workforce as a whole. (UNI)
