Project 2025: The worst-case scenario for veterans

The proposal by Project 2025 to drastically reduce the federal workforce is alarming, not just for its potential effects on the efficiency and efficacy of government operations but for the impact it would have on one of the nation’s most revered groups: our veterans.

Project 2025, a comprehensive policy blueprint backed by influential conservative think tanks, aims to reshape the federal government radically. It proposes cutting one million federal jobs, with a significant focus on eliminating managerial bureaucracy and shutting down what it terms “toxic government agencies.” This initiative aligns closely with the policies of former President Trump, reflecting a broader agenda to reduce government size and influence drastically.

Veterans make up roughly 30% of the federal workforce, with approximately 300,000 veterans currently employed by the federal government. These individuals, having served their country in the military, have chosen to continue their service in a civilian capacity. They bring unparalleled dedication, discipline, and unique skill sets often not found in the private sector. Many of these veterans, including a substantial number who are disabled, find employment in agencies that Project 2025 targets for elimination, such as the FBI and the Justice Department.

The FBI and DOJ are veteran-heavy workplaces, offering opportunities for those who have served to continue contributing to national security and justice. These agencies are integral to maintaining law and order, and their employees include many veterans who have transitioned from military service to civilian roles. Drastically cutting jobs in these agencies would disproportionately affect veterans, many of whom rely on these positions not only for employment but also for a sense of purpose and community.

When we talk about cutting federal employees, we’re talking about cutting opportunities for veterans, reducing their livelihoods, and potentially leaving many without jobs. 

It's essential to recognize that a well-functioning government relies on the skills and expertise of its employees. By suggesting a 50% reduction in federal employees within a year and 75% within four years, Project 2025 is essentially advocating for a skeletal government, unable to perform its fundamental functions. All the while leaving civil service veterans holding the bag. 

Similar sentiments have been echoed by key figures in the GOP, including those closely aligned with former President Trump. But the question we must ask is, at what cost?

Cutting jobs, especially in the midst of ongoing economic recovery, is not a move that should be taken lightly. We have a responsibility to consider the broader societal implications, not just the short-term political gains. Our veterans, who have already given so much, should not have to pay the price for hasty political decisions.

Let’s prioritize real solutions, such as retraining and better allocation of resources, rather than drastic cuts that impact our heroes. For a country that prides itself on supporting its veterans, cutting their jobs should never be the answer.

The push for such extreme measures under Project 2025, and the alignment with Trump's policies, reflects a broader agenda that seems to prioritize political strategy over the welfare of those who have served our country. It is crucial to scrutinize these proposals and consider their real-world impact on the lives of veterans and the functionality of our government. Only through thoughtful and measured approaches can we ensure that we honor our commitments to veterans while maintaining a robust and effective federal workforce.

By dismantling key agencies and slashing federal jobs, Project 2025 risks undermining not only government efficiency but also the livelihoods of tens of thousands of veterans. These actions will have far-reaching consequences, weakening the very fabric of our nation’s administrative capabilities, betraying our veterans, and damaging the economy to prove a twisted point. We must ask ourselves what is more important: the livelihoods of our veterans and the health of our economy, or the whims of the few who want to dismantle the government.

Michael Embrich is a veteran, former member of the secretary of Veterans Affairs' Advisory Committee on the Readjustment of Veterans, and former congressional staffer.