Veteran Voices
Veterans serve our nation selflessly, swearing an oath to the Constitution in defense of the United States. They took another oath to the Constitution when they chose to work for a federal agency as a civilian. Now, they face the indignity of being attacked by an administration that does not value their sacrifice, contributions, and the services they provide Americans across the nation. The below stories are from veterans and their spouses. Stories of pain, resilience, and passion, the following reflections bear witness to an unfortunate truth: The country you served doesn’t serve you.
The Rich Get Richer
My husband retired after 24 years of being active-duty military and since then both of us have become federal employees. We are proud to serve our country and never minded making certain sacrifices. Considering the support I provided to my husband and many military servicemembers over 24 years—and nearly 13 years of direct support—I have had the pleasure to serve nearly 37 years. This all came to a screeching halt on April 1. 2025, via email, informing me of a reduction in force (RIF). I’m shocked and absolutely saddened that a President would give his South African billionaire friend free range to fire hardworking Americans that have dedicated their whole life to this country.
My line of work is procurement—I buy things in support of those serving the country. I buy anything from bolts and bearings for aircrafts to environmental services for buildings. There are many balances and checks in place in procurement, preventing overspending or misuse of funds. In December of 2024, I changed agencies and went from the Department of Defense to the Department of Health and Human Services. Again, I did that proudly because now I can help the average American. The whole agency is set up to provide services for the American people who need help. Most of the services that I contracted were cut by the Trump administration. Every American should be in fear of the reckless cutting of services for our country. I am beside myself that this administration claims to save money on services that are direly needed and wanted by every American. I’m sad to see this administration eliminating services needed by the average American while at the same time ensuring the rich get richer. It is a sad moment in life when you hear the President of the United States brag on National TV about other countries “kissing his ass”—his words, not mine. Shame on you, Mr. President. You’re supposed to be a role model, but not with that foul language and reckless behavior towards my country!
April 1, 2025, was the moment I received my RIF email from DOGE, aka the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Although a life-changing moment, I strongly believe that good outweighs evil. Although the administration discarded me, this country will find a way to help the American people and do the right thing!
—Michaela M., Virginia
The Irony
The work of federal employees is a selfless job. We help the citizens of this great country navigate and stay compliant with their tax’s “day in and day out.” We help people through what can be a stressful time. Cutting the federal employees who faithfully and honestly show up for work every day is hurting the everyday taxpayers in the end. No one wins!! My family and I have been affected by me getting fired for being a probationary employee. I am a disabled Veteran that has two young children. The irony from all this is my own refund for 2024 is being delayed because of all the layoffs.
—Rob G., Florida
Optimism in the Face of Ousting
As a proud U.S. Army veteran and former IRS employee, my work has always been about serving the American people—whether it was managing critical logistics for our troops or supporting the efficiency and integrity of our tax system. At the IRS, I helped streamline case management and ensured compliance, playing a vital role in protecting taxpayer interests. Budget cuts and layoffs have not only disrupted my livelihood but also threaten the quality and timeliness of services taxpayers rely on every day. Losing my job had a profound impact on my family, both financially and emotionally. After over a decade of dedicated service, it's disheartening to face uncertainty, but I remain committed to public service and hopeful for the opportunity to continue making a difference.
—Michelle L., Florida
Searching for a purpose, found a home…
I joined the IRS back in 2022. As an Army National Guard veteran, I was searching for a purpose and a way back into the federal government. I was lucky to find [a] job as a customer service representative assisting business owners/taxpayers over the phone. I thought I had found my home, working with others who just wanted to be civil servants and help the American People.
Once Trump took office, the level of uncertainty and stress I felt was insurmountable, knowing his plans to gut the federal workforce. Each day was lived in fear, stress and anxiety, wondering when/if I would be terminated. When we were forced to return to the office, which is a direct breech of my contract, and learning we were being monitored by DOGE for two weeks when we handle extremely sensitive information, I had had enough.
I decided to put myself first for once and say no to the continuous bullying and scare tactics the administration was throwing at us. On March 4, 2025, I voluntarily quit my job I planned on making a career out of. I had never loved a job more and telling my manager I was resigning was extremely hard.
I hope one day I can return to the federal workforce and continue serving the American people—a lifelong dream of mine I achieved with my military service and truly hoped I could continue as a civil servant.
—Amanda S., Ohio
A Blank Check…
As a disabled veteran and a probationary employee, I have dedicated myself wholeheartedly to my work, where I was instrumental in catapulting the facility to a high ranking in Maintenance and Inspections within the U.S. Treasury’s arsenal.
Having signed a blank check to the United States in exchange for my life during my military service, I now find myself fighting for fairness and justice in my civilian career. With just one month remaining in my probationary period, I was laid off under circumstances I believe to be erroneous and unjust.
I have an outstanding performance review and have given my all to my job, leading a team and contributing significantly to the success of our department. Given the skills and discipline gained through my military service, I feel it should offset the need for a probationary period in my current role.
I understand that, as a probationary employee, my rights are somewhat limited, but I cannot accept being dismissed in this way, especially given my service to this nation. I strongly believe that my termination was wrongful.
—Jason W., West Virginia
Holding the Line
When I was 18, I signed up to serve in the military because I wanted to serve my country. While I was in the military, we saw many wars and military actions: Somalia, The Balkans, and especially Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield in Kuwait. I was proud to be an American because we were standing up for those who had been invaded, oppressed, and murdered by authoritarians. After six years, I ended my service with an honorable discharge.
About eight years ago, I became an IRS employee after finding corporate life stifling and boring. It was the second time in my life I had sworn to uphold the constitution of the United States. I was so happy because not only was I serving my country, but I was also in a stable job working with a diverse group of people. Here was America again, just like in the military, just like when I was a student…all of us, a coalition of patriots who loved our country and served it inarguably one of the least adored federal agencies, but our work is important.
Then the country turned its back on me and my sisters, brothers, and others; they elected Trump, a disgruntled con man who felt the world owed him and everyone was his enemy. His surrogates in Congress and on TV reviled us, his sponsor and boss, Elon Musk, began tearing our federal government apart under the guise of “efficiency.” He claimed empathy was a flaw.
Before Trump was elected, and even for a month or so after, my wife and I were finally going to buy our first house. Our son, long grown and off on his own life adventure, never knew a childhood home. This, though, would be a place we could call our own, finally roots in the soil I had always been ready to die to defend. My piece of America.
I have given up on that dream. I have given up on the thought that we who serve would receive anything more than the empty ‘thank for your service’ like saying ‘bless you' after someone sneezes; it's just what you do, and you don't really mean it.
I have given up on American decency as the red-hatted crowd cheers for our downfall not because of any real issue, but because they were told to hate federal employees. They are told we are stupid, that we are lazy and that we were getting money for nothing.
They don't know the overtime we worked. The pandemic we shepherded them through, the PPP loans we helped them write off, the relief checks that kept them in their houses as the world crumbled on the brink of collapse. We HELD THE LINE and now receive nothing but hate for it.
This assault on us, on we who have given and still give so much, is the antithesis of what America stands for. It is a betrayal of its values, its ideals, its legacy.
—Michael H., Ohio
Very blessed
I was fired as part of the Feb 14, 2025 mass layoff of probationary employees who worked for the Food and Drug Administration. I am an Air Force veteran, and I voted for Trump. I am also a 63-year-old woman. I live in a rural community in Tennessee. I took a Grants Management Specialist job in Dec 2024. I left my job with the county where I earned a higher salary. Although the GMS job was a cut in pay, I felt very blessed to get a federal job after more than 40 years working in the private sector.
I have never had a bad review or been fired or laid off from any job. In fact, every evaluation I have ever received has always been stellar. The following statement in the "termination" letter was untrue, defamatory, and insulting!
"Unfortunately, the Agency finds that you are not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and skills do not fit the Agency’s current needs, and your performance has not been adequate to justify further employment at the Agency."
At 63 years old, I have no prospects for work. I will have to apply for social security if this mass layoff doesn't get reversed.
Lisa P., Tennessee
Upholding Taxpayer Rights
I have worked at the IRS for over 15 years at various departments. I'm a military spouse. My husband is a permanently and totally disabled combat veteran. He has multiple service-connected disabilities.
Despite my eligibility under the Guidance on Exempting Military Spouses and Foreign Service Spouses from Agency Return to Office Plans, I was forced to return to the office in March.
I am my husband’s primary caregiver. My request to continue working remotely was denied or ignored, and I was required to physically report to the office, disrupting both my caregiving responsibilities and the intent of the federal guidance.
Additionally, I believe this action constitutes a violation of the Military Spouse Employment Act, which is designed to support the retention and accommodation of military spouses in federal employment. These actions represent not only a disregard for my protected status, but they also create a hostile and discriminatory work environment. My removal also impacts the customer service taxpayers receive.
As an Account Technical Advisor for the IRS, I play a key role in supporting frontline employees and ensuring the accurate and consistent resolution of complex taxpayer issues. By providing technical guidance, reviewing case actions, and identifying procedural improvements, I help enhance the overall quality of service delivered to the public.
My work ensures that taxpayers receive fair and timely resolutions while supporting employees in navigating challenging account scenarios. Through collaboration, oversight, and a focus on continuous improvement, I contribute to the IRS’s mission of providing top-quality service and upholding taxpayer rights.
—Anonymous
Critical Support
My job as an [administrative support specialist] helped to keep my unit [at the IRS] viable. I was hired to order much-needed supplies, assist with payroll, and support the many bankruptcy cases that came into the office. Not only did I process the mail, but I also guided confused clients to where they could get support. Since I was fresh out of training, I did not complete learning all the aspects of my job. My role was supportive and now the workload has doubled and the efficiency of my unit at the IRS has decreased.
I am a disabled veteran; it took me two years to get my federal job. My husband had a heart attack, and I was basically already struggling without pay during his surgery and recovery. I haven’t paid the mortgage in almost a year as I am trying to renegotiate a modification. The modification is affordable with a job. I am supporting a child in college and my home needs foundation support, or I have no home.
—C.J., Virginia
Fair Treatment for Those Who Serve?
My name is Tanya, and I am a military spouse who was recently terminated in February from my federal government position just three months before completing my probationary period. My husband, who is on active duty, had deployed only two weeks prior. I was devastated to learn—on a Saturday and without prior notice—that I had been fired. By Tuesday, after the long holiday weekend, my access had been revoked, leaving me unable to contact anyone for clarification. The reason given was poor performance, despite receiving an excellent evaluation just weeks earlier.
At the time, I was pregnant, caring for our five-year-old alone, and trying to manage our household with no family nearby. The sudden loss of my job while already navigating the emotional toll of deployment was overwhelming. While I was recently placed on administrative leave, my future remains uncertain due to the upcoming Reduction in Force. The instability has been deeply traumatic.
As a federal employee, I supported initiatives that advanced women's and maternal health by analyzing data, researching policies, and collaborating across agencies. My work helped identify healthcare gaps, assess program impacts, and inform evidence-based decisions, helping ensure resources were directed to initiatives that improved women’s health outcomes throughout the nation.
I had always believed that the federal government valued military families and provided a stable career path for those who serve and support our country. However, what has happened to me—and to so many others—shakes that belief. The way this administration has handled these terminations has left countless dedicated employees feeling abandoned. Military spouses already face significant career challenges due to frequent relocations and losing a job in such an abrupt and unjust manner only adds to the hardships we endure. The federal government should be a model of support for military families, not another source of instability.
—Tanya D., Missouri
Protecting the Financial Protectors
I am a disabled veteran Navy retiree father of three and I used to work productively for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), that is until DOGE people came along and the stop-work order was issued on February 8. I took the federal job with the CFPB under the widely held belief that federal workers got paid less in exchange for job security.
The government, however, has broken that promise. There no longer is job security, as every day since February 8 there has loomed over our head the albatross of sudden abrupt termination for no good cause. Our workforce is made up of both [Democrats and Republicans] alike. Even fellow Republican coworkers cannot reconcile a potential reduction in force with the amount of work that we have/had and the good value that we provide to our country.
Surely, Americans would agree that big banks cannot get away with predatory lending by outsourcing their lending activities to mortgage lender spinoff companies. Surely, Americans would agree that credit card companies should not get away with bait and switch credit card reward terms. Surely, Americans would agree that their personally identifiable information should be protected even as it is trafficked and made a buck from as it is marketed for sale, sold and re-sold between the social media companies, their banking apps, and online retailers like Amazon. All this and more is what we do for the people at the CFPB.
—Anonymous