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.

Under Title 10, Section 129(a)(b) of the U.S. Code: “the Secretary may not reduce the civilian workforce programmed full-time equivalent levels unless the Secretary conducts an appropriate analysis of the impacts of such reductions on workload, military force structure, lethality, readiness, operational effectiveness, stress on the military force, and fully burdened costs.” In addition, the Secretary is required to submit a detailed report to the congressional defense committees that explains any increases or decreases in the civilian workforce and outlines efforts to reduce overall force costs.

Alarmingly, 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. Recently, Trump 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.

These drastic cuts will adversely affect our ability to respond to national security threats and endanger the lives of everyday Americans. Demand your legislators put our national security first and oppose these cuts.