After witnessing mass federal firings, concerns about potential further job cuts, including U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employees, are rising.
According to the Associated Press, approximately 80,000 employees are expected to be cut from the VA.
The reduction would align the department’s staffing levels with those of 2019.
New data from the Department of Government Efficiency shows that the firings have saved over $100 billion, which is about $650 per taxpayer.
Michigander Andrew Lennox is one of the thousands of employees who lost their jobs in February.
On Wednesday (March 5), he flew into Detroit Metro Airport after a whirlwind trip to Washington, D.C.
Sen. Elissa Slotkin invited the Marine Corps veteran to Congress as her guest for the president’s joint address.
Later, the freshman senator gave the Democratic response, emphasizing the importance of making changes responsibly without forgetting the country’s values.
For Lennox, working for the VA was more than just a job; it was like family.
After serving in the military for a decade, which included deployments to the Middle East, he joined the department as an administrative officer in Ann Arbor.
Lenox explained how he managed ambulatory care services.
“I was basically the right-hand man and the number two of the associate chief of staff that runs our ambulatory care services, which had hundreds of doctors and thousands of patients, said Lenox.
His responsibilities also included documentation and scheduling while ensuring the medical team had the proper equipment.
On Feb. 13, two months into his position, he claimed he was terminated for poor performance despite not having received a performance review.
Lennox has since transitioned into advocacy, protesting his firing and those of other federal workers.
While demonstrators protest the cuts, some Republicans, including Rep. Tom Barrett of Lansing, remain in lockstep with the Trump administration.
Barrett supports the Department of Government Efficiency’s actions; however, he recently sent a letter asking the department’s secretary to review its workforce reduction process.
“I think as we’re looking at making sure we restore accountability within our federal agencies, we’re doing that on a merit basis, not simply based upon how long an individual has been working at that department,” Barrett said.
Lennox is uncertain about his future.
He would like his job back, but he wants more.
“At this point, I want accountability,” Lennox said. “Just own up to what you’re doing, and then stop saying you support the troops.”
