Department of Veterans Affairs Plans to Layoff 80K+ Employees, According To Internal Memo

According to multiple reports based on an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is planning a significant workforce reduction and reorganization. The VA aims to cut approximately 80,000 to 83,000 employees, bringing its staffing levels back to those of 2019, which were just under 400,000 employees.

In February 2025, the VA laid off 1,000 probationary employees, including medical workers. However, it has not been announced if the new round of layoffs will include nurses, doctors, or other healthcare workers. The VA currently employs over 370,000 medical workers, including nurses and doctors, nationwide. 

This action is independent of the Deferred Resignation Program for federal employees and was implemented as part of a broader initiative to reduce federal expenditures. 

The memo, authored by VA Chief of Staff Christopher Syrek, outlines plans for an “aggressive” reorganization to comply with President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders calling for reductions in the federal workforce. The department intends to implement these cuts by August 2025, as part of a broader effort to “resize and tailor the workforce to the mission and revised structure”.

This planned reduction would effectively eliminate the staffing increases made during the Biden administration, including those hired to accommodate the increased workload resulting from the 2022 PACT Act, which expanded VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances.

VA Secretary Doug Collins released a video addressing misinformation about Veterans’ benefits and VA health care, refuting what he called “whoppers.”

In the video Collins mentioned the VA’s commitment to prioritizing Veterans, acknowledging that while changes may cause friction, they are designed to improve services. Collins specifically denied claims that VA health care is deteriorating, emphasizing that the department has safeguarded 300,000 critical positions to ensure uninterrupted care.

He also dismissed rumors that Veterans’ benefits were being cut, clarifying that nearly $98 million had been redirected to enhance care and services. Additionally, he assured that no Veterans Crisis Line responders had been laid off, reaffirming that crisis support remains intact. Collins urged Veterans to seek accurate information directly from the VA instead of political misinformation, directing them to news.va.gov or their local VA offices for reliable updates.

The proposed cuts have already drawn criticism from some lawmakers and veterans’ advocates, who argue that such significant reductions could negatively impact the VA’s ability to provide essential services to veterans.

• Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., the top Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, called the plan “an outright betrayal of veterans” and stated: “Gutting VA’s staffing to pre-PACT Act levels will cripple the very system that millions of veterans rely on, denying them access to lifesaving health care, claims processing, and education benefits they’ve earned”
• Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, condemned the proposed layoffs, accusing the Trump administration of “waging a full-scale assault” on advancements made in enhancing veteran services.

This is a developing story, watch this space for updates. 

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