Stop Reckless DoD Cuts: Protect Jobs and National Security

Under the direction of Elon Musk’s Office of Government Efficiency (DOGE), officials from the Department of Defense (DoD) are planning a drastic reduction of its civilian workforce by 5–8%, potentially terminating between 47,500 and 76,000 employees. This mass firing flagrantly violates Title 10, Section 129a of the U.S. Code—which governs civilian personnel management—and jeopardizes U.S. military readiness, placing our national security at risk. The Secretary of Defense cannot reduce the civilian workforce without conducting an appropriate analysis about its impact and submit those details to Congress. Before this announcement, no such report or impact analysis had been conducted. This oversight not only demonstrates a blatant disregard for legal procedures but also exposes our country to unnecessary risk.

The decision to target probationary civilian employees as the first to be terminated further underscores the recklessness of this policy, but even Pentagon leaders are not safe from such brazen firings. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also fired Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown and other senior Pentagon leaders, including the Navy’s top admiral, Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti, which marks the first time two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have had their roles terminated. Perhaps the most shocking action of all has been Hegseth’s firing of judge advocates general, or “JAGs." JAGs are legal advisors who provide crucial guardrails to ensure that military officers do not break the law or commit war crimes. Hegseth’s dismissal of these top lawyers sends a chilling message about this administration’s intentions.

Demand your legislators oppose these reckless firings to protect our national security and the safety of everyday Americans.