Democrats Say 6000 Veterans Fired by Musk’s DOGE

House Appropriations Committee Democrats are sounding the alarm over mass layoffs hitting federal workers including a reported 6000 veterans terminated by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The claim aired by More Perfect Union paints a grim picture of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting crusade. These firings target probationary employees hired in the last two years with veterans making up a big chunk per Democrats. The move has sparked outrage with lawmakers accusing Musk of betraying those who served. It’s part of a broader push to shrink government that’s already axed thousands of jobs.

The Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE led by Elon Musk is at the heart of this storm. Created by President Trump to slash federal spending it’s moved fast firing over 9500 workers across agencies since early February. Democrats say the 6000 veterans figure comes from internal tallies at departments like Veterans Affairs and Energy. These workers many fresh hires or recently promoted lack the job protections of tenured staff. Musk’s team has targeted probationers arguing they’re easier to cut without legal pushback. Critics call it a callous purge of dedicated public servants.

Veterans Affairs took a heavy blow with over 1000 layoffs announced last week. Democrats on the Appropriations Committee say many of those were veterans hired to handle a surge in benefits claims after the 2022 PACT Act. That law expanded care for toxin-exposed vets driving up staffing needs. Now those same workers are out the door with Musk’s DOGE citing budget efficiency. Lawmakers like Rep. Rosa DeLauro argue this guts critical services for heroes who deserve better. The firings have fueled a fierce backlash from unions and Capitol Hill.

Elon Musk defends the cuts as vital to streamline a bloated bureaucracy. Speaking Tuesday he said DOGE aims to save taxpayers billions by axing wasteful contracts and jobs. The agency claims it’s terminated $8.6 billion in spending already though details are murky. Musk insists the process is transparent but Democrats disagree calling DOGE a rogue outfit with no oversight. They point to the 6000 veterans as proof Musk’s blunt approach ignores human costs. Tensions are rising as Congress debates who controls the purse strings.

The fallout for veterans is already rippling outward. Terminated workers like Raphael Garcia of Seattle a vet himself told Sen. Patty Murray’s office the cuts shred support for disabled comrades. With 56000 probationary staff at VA alone per 2024 data the 6000 figure seems plausible but unverified by DOGE. Unions like the American Federation of Government Employees vow legal fights alleging illegal firings. Democrats say this chaos proves Musk’s experiment threatens national security and morale not just budgets.

Republicans largely back Trump and Musk’s mission to downsize government. They argue decades of unchecked growth left agencies fat with redundancy. House GOP leaders praise DOGE for targeting new hires not entrenched staff saying it’s a smart trim. But the veteran layoffs have some conservatives uneasy. Sen. Lisa Murkowski urged Musk to show humanity in the cuts. The 6000 number if true could test GOP unity as constituents feel the pinch. For now Trump’s team presses on undeterred by the uproar.

Beyond VA other agencies report veteran losses too. The Forest Service cut 3400 jobs including rangers who fought wildfires many ex-military. Energy shed 2000 with some from nuclear security roles tied to vet hiring programs. Democrats warn these moves weaken disaster response and safety. Musk’s DOGE counters that essential functions remain intact with exemptions for critical staff. The 6000 veterans claim hangs over this debate as a rallying cry for opponents and a challenge for supporters to justify.

The bigger picture is a government in flux. Trump’s buyout offer snagged 77000 workers but fell short of goals prompting DOGE’s aggressive turn. Democrats fear the 6000 veterans are just the start with 250000 probationers at risk. Musk’s vision of leaner government clashes with cries to protect vets and services. As lawsuits mount and data trickles out the true toll on veterans will shape this fight. For now the House Appropriations Committee’s charge has lit a fire under an already heated clash over America’s future.