Veterans Affairs Cuts 30,000 Jobs After Scaling Back Layoff Plans

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has significantly reduced its planned workforce cuts, now aiming to cut nearly 30,000 jobs instead of the originally proposed 83,000. This change reverses the Trump administration's earlier directive for large-scale layoffs intended to trim the VA's staff to 2019 levels, which had sparked widespread backlash from veterans, advocacy groups, and lawmakers concerned about the impact on veterans' care and benefits. The VA's reduction will be achieved through attrition, hiring freezes, and voluntary early retirements, eliminating the need for mass layoffs. VA Secretary Douglas Collins previously defended the cuts as necessary, with the White House arguing they would increase efficiency, but opposition from Democratic lawmakers and veterans' organizations emphasized potential harm to services and morale. The agency stressed that mission-critical positions are exempt from reductions and that veteran care will not be affected. This decision reflects a political balancing act for President Trump, who remains popular among veterans and has vowed to protect their benefits.