The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is set to cut over 80,000 jobs as part of a broad restructuring effort aimed at reducing inefficiencies and returning to 2019 staffing levels, according to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press.
The move comes amid a broader government efficiency initiative launched by President Donald Trump, which seeks to overhaul federal agencies and eliminate excess bureaucracy.
The planned workforce reduction, expected to take effect in August, has drawn both support and criticism. While the administration insists the cuts will improve efficiency without compromising healthcare or benefits, veterans’ organisations and lawmakers have raised concerns over potential disruptions to services.
The VA, which currently employs around 470,000 people, would see a 15% decrease in staff, bringing numbers down to approximately 398,000 employees.
Workforce Reduction Aims to Streamline VA Services
In a video statement, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins defended the restructuring, describing it as a necessary step to improve efficiency, accountability, and transparency at the agency.
“Many years, veterans have been asking for a more efficient, accountable, and transparent VA. This administration is finally going to give the veterans what they want,” Collins stated.
He emphasised that the cuts were part of President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency and Workforce Optimisation initiative and that the review process would be “thorough and thoughtful”, incorporating input from career VA employees, senior executives, and leadership.
According to Collins, the restructuring includes a review of 90,000 contracts worth more than $67 billion. Early findings have already led to the cancellation of 600 non-mission critical or duplicative agreements, saving the department an estimated $900 million.
These savings, he stated, would be redirected towards veterans’ healthcare, benefits, and services. Despite the planned job reductions, the VA intends to continue hiring for over 300,000 mission-critical positions to maintain healthcare and benefits for veterans.
However, critics argue that significant layoffs could lead to longer wait times and decreased service quality, especially after recent expansions in coverage under the 2022 PACT Act, which extended benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
Concerns Grow Over Impact on Veterans’ Care
While the administration maintains that healthcare and benefits will not be affected, concerns persist among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Michael Missal, former VA inspector general, warned that the cuts could harm veterans by reducing the department’s ability to deliver essential services.
“What’s going to happen is the VA’s not going to perform as well for veterans, and veterans are going to get harmed,” Missal told the Associated Press.
During his tenure, VA oversight efforts saved $45 billion, raising concerns that Trump’s dismissal of independent watchdogs could weaken accountability within the department.
Members of Congress from both parties have reacted cautiously. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham criticised the administration for not consulting lawmakers before announcing such a major policy shift, calling the decision “political malpractice.”
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal condemned the move as an “assault” on progress, arguing that it prioritises budget cuts over veterans’ welfare.
Veterans’ groups have also expressed apprehension. Brent Reiffer, a Marine veteran and advocate with the Wounded Warrior Project, highlighted concerns over confusion and accessibility.
The administration is under increasing pressure as the VA reorganization proceeds to make sure that staffing cuts don’t affect service quality. Many lawmakers and veterans are still concerned about possible unexpected repercussions, despite the Trump administration’s claims that reducing bureaucracy will increase efficiency.
