President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has launched aggressive cuts to the VA, firing thousands and crippling critical care for veterans across the country.
DOGE Fires Thousands of VA Workers, Targets 80,000 More
DOGE already fired 2,400 VA employees and removed over 6,000 veterans from federal jobs. The administration now aims to eliminate more than 80,000 additional positions—nearly one in five VA staffers—jeopardizing care delivery for millions of veterans.
These workers help veterans schedule appointments, receive benefits, and get timely care. Removing them directly undermines services veterans rely on every day.
“This isn’t efficiency. It’s abandonment,” said a watchdog group tracking federal workforce reductions.
Services Collapse Under Pressure from Cuts
DOGE’s cuts have delayed or disrupted vital services that veterans count on. The consequences include:
- Disability claims delayed for months
- Mental health programs drastically reduced
- Appointments canceled or postponed
- Crisis line responses slowed by overwhelming backlogs
- Caregiver aid harder to access
- Clinic openings pushed back
- Veteran-owned businesses forced to close after losing contracts
“No one let our clients in the door. No one confirmed schedules. No one helped,” said Terri Wollenberg, a 32-year VA employee fired as part of the cuts.
DOGE Canceled Hundreds of Critical VA Contracts
In addition to workforce cuts, DOGE also canceled over 800 contracts supporting services like:
- Chemotherapy treatment
- Substance abuse recovery research
- Mental health evaluations
- Records digitization
- Toxic exposure screenings
Many of these contracts employed veteran-owned businesses, which have now lost essential income and purpose.
Largest U.S. Health System Reels from Cuts
The Veterans Health Administration, which serves over 9.1 million veterans through 1,380 VA health care facilities, now faces severe strain.
Since the cuts:
- Veterans wait 20% longer to access care
- Disability and funeral benefit processing slowed
- The Veterans Crisis Line struggles to keep up with calls
“Veterans are getting less care, with more delays,” a senior VA official confirmed.
Breakdown: Veterans Cuts by the Numbers
| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| VA Employees Fired | 2,400 |
| Veterans Fired from Federal Jobs | 6,000+ |
| Additional Jobs at Risk | 80,000+ |
| VA Contracts Canceled | 875+ |
| Crisis Line Calls Since 2007 | 8M+ |
| Annual VA Health System Users | 9.1M+ |
| VA Benefits Disbursed (2024) | $187B |
Leaders Condemn Cuts: “This Is Not Efficiency. It’s Cruelty.”
Elected officials and advocates have slammed the Trump administration for gutting the VA while claiming to reduce government waste. They warned that these cuts disproportionately harm low-income and minority veterans, especially those in public housing.
“This is egregious—and it’s racist,” said Assemblywoman Latrice M. Walker, referring to the abandoned resiliency projects and clinic delays.
Conclusion: DOGE Abandons Veterans While Preaching Efficiency
Despite campaign promises to “put veterans first,” President Trump’s DOGE program has stripped away core services that millions of veterans depend on. The cuts have created longer wait times, more delays, and less support for those who served the country.
Bottom Line: DOGE’s version of “efficiency” leaves America’s veterans behind.
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