Trump Cuts 80,000 VA Jobs Under Elon Musk’s Supervision

As of March 9, 2025, the Trump administration’s proposal to cut over 80,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has stirred strong reactions. The plan is to reduce the VA’s workforce from over 470,000 employees (as of October 2024) back to 2019 levels of about 400,000.

This plan is being led by VA Secretary Doug Collins and the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is under Elon Musk’s oversight. The goal is to make the VA more efficient, but it has raised concerns about the quality of care for veterans. The cuts are set to happen in August 2025.

The cuts are described as a way to eliminate unnecessary staff and reduce what the administration calls “bureaucracy and bloat.” The VA grew significantly under the Biden administration, especially with the 2022 PACT Act, which expanded healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances.

In 2024, the VA provided services to over 9 million veterans and handled over 127 million appointments, which required a large workforce. Now, the Trump administration argues that this rapid expansion is unsustainable, but they haven’t provided full details on which jobs will be cut. They say that 300,000 “mission-critical” positions will remain.

This is part of Trump’s broader plan to cut federal spending by up to $2 trillion annually, with the VA being a major target due to its size and cost. Supporters say this will make the VA more efficient, but critics worry it could lead to privatization, a goal Trump pursued during his first term.

Opposition to the cuts is growing. Everett Kelley, from the American Federation of Government Employees, warns that reducing staff will hurt services, leading to longer wait times and delays. Veterans’ organizations like Common Defense are also opposed, arguing that it could weaken the system that helps veterans. Many VA employees are veterans themselves, and the cuts could affect the very people the VA serves.

The issue is creating division in Congress. While some Democrats are strongly against the plan, some Republicans are calling for more caution and consultation. There is concern that these cuts could backfire, especially as the VA has to submit its reorganization plan by June 2025.

At this point, the specifics of who will lose their jobs are unclear. In the past, similar cuts focused on “non-essential” roles, like diversity and inclusion staff, but the scale of these proposed cuts is unprecedented. The layoffs could also impact veterans working at the VA, which may anger Trump’s veteran supporters.

There are legal challenges expected, with unions potentially suing if the cuts violate contracts, and Congress could take action if there’s enough pressure. The VA will need to prove it can continue to care for millions of veterans even with a significantly reduced workforce.

The success of this plan could make the VA more efficient, boosting Trump’s reputation for cutting government waste. However, failure could lead to a political disaster, as veterans may feel betrayed. With August approaching, it remains uncertain whether the VA can deliver on its promises with 80,000 fewer employees. This decision will have a lasting impact on both Trump’s legacy and the lives of veterans.