Veterans and civil servants are getting axed.
A wave of firings has begun at the Department of Defense (DoD) as part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump and his administration to reduce the federal workforce. These layoffs are primarily targeting civilian employees working in agencies such as the Defense Health Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, the Navy, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. The Pentagon has not released specific figures, but reports indicate that dozens of employees have already lost their jobs. This action follows an announcement from the DoD in February, which revealed plans to cut 5,400 probationary workers to reduce the size of the federal workforce by up to 8%.
While the firings have begun, the exact details regarding the number of employees dismissed and the reasons behind their termination remain unclear. Several affected workers claim to have received very brief notifications with little explanation, many citing “performance issues” as the reason for their dismissal. These firings come amid ongoing lawsuits arguing that the terminations may be unlawful, particularly after a federal judge questioned the legality of the process in late February. The firings are part of a larger push by the administration to streamline federal agencies and eliminate inefficiencies, with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, overseeing the review of federal systems.
The firings are expected to have far-reaching impacts, especially for military families, veterans, and military spouses, who make up a significant portion of the federal workforce. Veterans’ groups have expressed concerns that the cuts disproportionately affect former service members, who make up one-third of the federal workforce. Democratic lawmakers have seized on these concerns, with some even inviting laid-off veterans to President Trump’s State of the Union address as a form of protest. Meanwhile, the administration has defended the firings, arguing that it is necessary to reduce wasteful spending and prioritize employees who are essential to national defense.
One employee from the Defense Health Agency who was let go expressed frustration at the impersonal nature of the process, stating that she had been working hard on a mission critical to the health of military personnel. She hopes her firing will be reversed, given the importance of the work her office does. The firings are likely to continue, as the administration moves forward with its plan to reduce the number of federal employees and cut spending, although many questions remain about the fairness and legality of the process.
