In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Department of Veterans Affairs and beyond, more than 1,000 VA employees across the country have been dismissed as part of a cost-cutting measure initiated by the new Trump administration. The decision, announced on February 13, 2025, is projected to save $98 million annually—funds that the VA claims will be redirected to healthcare, benefits, and services for veterans. However, the mass layoffs, which disproportionately affect probationary employees, have ignited controversy and raised serious concerns about the future of VA operations, veteran care, and the economic stability of communities like Topeka, Kansas.
The Scope of the Layoffs
The VA’s announcement specifies that the dismissed employees are non-bargaining unit probationary workers—those who have served less than a year in a competitive service appointment or less than two years in an excepted service appointment. While the department insists that “mission-critical” positions are exempt, labor representatives and employees worry that the terminations could have broader, long-term consequences.
With approximately 43,000 VA employees fitting the criteria for potential termination, uncertainty looms over how deep these cuts will ultimately go. Diana Hicks, National Vice President of District 9 for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), has expressed deep concern about the implications of the layoffs, particularly in the Topeka area.
A Devastating Impact on Topeka
According to Hicks, as many as 500 jobs in Topeka and Shawnee County could be affected, including up to 300 positions at the VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System alone. Another 200 or more jobs could be lost at Topeka’s Member Services and the Veterans Crisis Line.
“The lack of compassion behind these decisions is troubling,” Hicks said in a statement. “If all probationary employees are affected, Topeka stands to lose up to 500 jobs. The consequences of these terminations will not be fully felt for months, but they will be significant.”
The potential loss of hundreds of jobs in Topeka is particularly alarming given the city’s economic reliance on public sector employment. Many of those facing termination are veterans themselves, further deepening the irony of the administration’s claim that this move is designed to better serve those who have served their country.
The Administration’s Justification
VA Secretary Doug Collins has defended the decision, asserting that these layoffs will allow the department to better allocate resources to veterans. “At VA, we are focused on saving money so it can be better spent on veteran care. We thank these employees for their service to VA. This was a tough decision, but ultimately it’s the right call,” Collins said. He emphasized that these terminations would not negatively impact VA health care, benefits, or beneficiaries.
However, skeptics argue that reducing VA staff—especially at a time when the department is struggling with wait times and backlogs—will only create further inefficiencies and delays in care for veterans.
Fallout and Political Ramifications
The decision has drawn strong criticism from federal employee unions, veterans’ advocates, and lawmakers. Critics view this move as part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to weaken federal job protections and shrink the workforce through layoffs rather than performance-based evaluations.
The timing of the announcement—just weeks into the administration’s tenure—suggests a swift and aggressive approach to restructuring federal agencies. Many fear that this is only the beginning of broader efforts to cut costs at the expense of public servants, including those who directly serve veterans.
What Comes Next?
While the VA has stated that dismissed employees’ senior leadership may request exemptions for certain staff members, the process lacks transparency, leaving many employees in limbo. The AFGE is expected to push back against these layoffs, potentially taking legal action to challenge the dismissals and protect remaining workers.
Meanwhile, veterans and their families are left wondering how these staffing cuts will impact their care and services in the coming months. As layoffs ripple through Topeka and other VA centers nationwide, the real cost of these “savings” may become painfully clear.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story. If you are a VA employee affected by these layoffs and wish to share your story, contact us at [email protected]
