'Nobody knows what’s going on': Veteran calls out 'nerve-racking' government firings

20 February

A U.S. Defense Department tribute ceremony in Virginia on January 17, 2025 (Gage Skidmore)

The Trump administration has laid off thousands of government employees, and veterans may be disproportionately hurt, Business Insider reported Thursday.

“Military veterans say they're feeling a mix of confusion, desperation, and fear about sweeping cuts to the federal government,” writes Kelsey Baker.

“It's just a really hard situation to be in,” one veteran, who was laid off from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, told Business Insider. She has been living on a disability stipend. Her husband is unemployed as well as he pursues a specialized job in the military.

Veterans might not have as many opportunities outside of the government, a disabled veteran said.

"People need to realize it's hard for disabled veterans sometimes to get employment in the civilian sector," she said. She was fired from her job at the USDA last week.

"They don't get as much respect in the civilian sector as they do within the government," she added. About 30 percent of federal workers are veterans, whereas they make up about 6 percent of the overall population.

"Nobody knows what's going on," said a veteran who works in peer support at the Veteran Crisis Line. She called the situation “nerve-racking.” The crisis line provides help to suicidal veterans.

"I do think that there is waste or places that they can cut," she said. "But generally, it's the administrative stuff at the top, not us."

"Over here, we're actually doing the work," she added. "Some of those jobs we need… who's going to pick up that slack?"

More than 1,000 workers were laid off at the Department of Veterans Affairs last week, including at least one worker at the Veterans Crisis Line, Military Times reported. The cuts at the VA have left veterans wondering about the status of their benefits, although VA Secretary Doug Collins said they would not change.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) slammed the veteran layoffs when she spoke to reporters Wednesday.

"It's a middle finger to our heroes and the law and their lives of service," she said. Duckworth, a retired Illinois Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, was injured in Iraq. Veterans have served "honorably, reliably, and with dignity,” she added. "They do not deserve this treatment."

One veteran at the U.S. Department of Commerce stressed that veterans in the government are living with uncertainty.

"Some days we hear that veteran's preference will protect us, and other days we hear veterans [and veteran health benefits] could be targeted in a future wave of attacks," they said. "We don't know who or what to believe."

"I was really excited to be a federal employee," another veteran said. "I wanted to be a civil servant."

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