Feb 24, 2025 - News

VA won't disclose number of firings at Nashville VA, insists care for veterans not impacted

Nate Rau

Illustration of Benjamin Franklin on the one hundred dollar bill wearing an army helmet. — Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will not disclose the number of staff dismissed from their jobs at facilities in Tennessee.

Driving the news: The Trump administration announced the dismissal of 1,000 Veterans Affairs staffers nationwide, leading to questions about the impact on the Nashville VA Medical Center and other hospitals in Tennessee.

Nashville's VA facility is a full-service medical center offering critical care, substance abuse treatment and an array of medical specialties.
A spokesperson for the VA tells Axios "a small number of probationary staff in Tennessee" were dismissed. Probationary staffers are those new to their roles, typically within one or two years of getting hired to their position.

What he's saying: "This decision will have no negative effect on Veteran health care, benefits or other services and will allow VA to focus more effectively on its core mission of serving Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors," spokesperson John Anderson said. "We cannot discuss specific personnel matters due to privacy concerns."

Zoom out: The VA announced the national layoffs will save $98 million annually. The VA will redirect the savings "back toward health care, benefits and services" for veterans and their beneficiaries.

Go deeper: Read about the Trump administration's purge of thousands of federal workers.

We want to hear from you: If you've been impacted by the federal layoffs at the VA or another federal agency, reach out to Nate Rau [email protected].

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VA won't disclose number of firings at Nashville VA, insists care for veterans not impacted

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