Lansing, Mich. — Veterans across Mid-Michigan are voicing concerns about a significant reduction in staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), following reports that the Trump administration plans to lay off approximately 80,000 employees. The layoffs are part of a larger initiative led by President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk to downsize the federal government.
Chad Teets, a sergeant with the Army Reserve, expressed mixed feelings about the proposed cuts. While Teets acknowledged the necessity of addressing inefficiencies within the government, he questioned whether reducing the VA workforce by 80,000 employees would be a reasonable solution. “As long as the cuts are in an appropriate way, I would support it,” said Teets. “I don’t know if 80,000 people are appropriate.”
Teets, who has experienced challenges receiving services from the VA, emphasized that the department may be overstaffed in certain areas. He suggested that the cuts should focus on eliminating underperforming employees. “You have your people that are really good at their job, and you have people who aren’t really good at their job. So, the people that aren’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing, I think those are the ones that need to be targeted,” he added.
However, Teets also expressed concern over the potential impact of these layoffs on veterans’ healthcare and benefits. “What happens if we go too far?” he asked. “If we cut 80,000 people and our government realizes there is a huge impact on service members not receiving the benefits they’re entitled to, how do they fix it?”
Veterans such as Harold Richmond, a Vietnam War veteran, share similar concerns. Richmond expressed worry that the layoffs could lead to even longer wait times for veterans seeking services from the VA. “It creates worry,” said Richmond. “I’ve dealt with them before, and it’s taking them so long now for anybody to get the benefits that they require or are entitled to. Cutting it back any further could make it take longer.”
Despite his concerns, Richmond also acknowledged that some parts of the federal government, including the VA, may need to downsize. However, he remains uncertain about the potential consequences of such drastic cuts. “I think the cuts are going to make things more difficult for, you know, the ones that are involved with it,” Richmond said. “I think the VA is a good thing. I think it helps the veterans, especially those that need it.”
Currently, the VA employs approximately 482,000 people. The proposed cuts, which would eliminate about 16% of the workforce, have raised alarm among many veterans who fear that the reductions could lead to a decline in the quality and efficiency of services for those who have served the country.
As discussions about the proposed layoffs continue, many veterans are left wondering whether the potential savings in staff cuts could outweigh the possible negative effects on services and benefits for those who rely on the VA.
