The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has been making waves with its efforts to cut costs for the US government. One of their primary focuses has been on terminating the roles of probationary federal employees, a move that has sparked controversy and concern, especially when it comes to military veterans.
Jesse Watters, a vocal supporter of DOGE’s work, recently made a public appeal to Elon Musk, urging him not to put army veterans out of work. The Department of Government Efficiency’s aggressive cost-cutting strategies have already led to layoffs across several federal agencies, including the Pentagon.
Military veterans, who have already faced unimaginable challenges on the battlefield, are now facing the new threat of losing their jobs due to budget cuts. Probationary employees, including many veterans starting their second careers in federal agencies, are particularly at risk.
Watters, in a heartfelt plea on a recent episode of “The Five,” highlighted the injustice of targeting veterans for layoffs. He shared the story of a close friend, a decorated 20-year military veteran who recently joined the Pentagon and is now at risk of losing his job. Watters emphasized that those who have “put their lives on the line” for their country should not be the first to face layoffs.
Many military veterans, like Watters’ friend, are feeling confused, desperate, and terrified at the prospect of losing their jobs due to DOGE’s budget cuts. While DOGE’s goal is to eliminate wasteful spending and enhance governmental efficiency, their methods have come under scrutiny for lacking nuance and consideration for individual contributions.
Despite the layoffs, the Department of Government Efficiency is also considering reallocating a portion of the savings achieved. There have been discussions about issuing $5,000 checks to Americans as dividends from the cost-cutting measures. Elon Musk has acknowledged the proposal and plans to discuss it with President Trump, although it may face pushback from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
As the debate over budget cuts and layoffs continues, it remains to be seen how DOGE’s strategies will evolve and how they will impact federal employees, especially military veterans. It is clear that the Department of Government Efficiency’s actions are stirring up controversy and raising important questions about the treatment of those who have served their country.