Axios D.C.

February 25, 2025
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Today's newsletter is 891 words — a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: Trump firings affecting local vets
The Trump administration's big cuts to the federal government are hitting one group particularly hard — the country's veterans.
Why it matters: There are over 79,000 veterans who work for the federal government and report to offices in the DMV, per the Office of Personnel Management — meaning thousands of locals could stand to be especially impacted by these cuts.
The big picture: It's not yet clear how many military vets have been fired, or will be. Last year veterans made up 28% of the federal workforce, per federal data — a far bigger share than the 5% in the private sector.
- About 36% of the vets working in civil service, more than 200,000 in total, are disabled or have a serious health condition, per federal data.
"This is the largest attack on veteran employment in our lifetime," says William Attig, executive director at the Union Veterans Council, a labor group that represents many of these workers.
Zoom in: Some veterans, still holding on to their jobs for now, are waiting for the hammer to drop.
- "We're being smeared as leeches, but I just want to serve my country and provide for my family," an employee at the Department of Defense who is a disabled veteran, and requested anonymity because he didn't want to put his job further at risk, told Axios.
Between the lines: Privately, GOP lawmakers are growing uneasy with cuts that impact veterans, Politico reports, adding that vets have been "disproportionately affected" by the firings.
Zoom out: There are a few reasons government work attracts vets. The federal government has a "veterans preference" — put simply, when deciding among a group of qualified candidates, they're first in line.
- With more veterans working in government, more feel welcomed to work among people who understand them. Others are drawn to the retirement benefits — years of military service counts towards your federal pension.
Plus, many of these folks feel drawn to mission-driven employment. "Most veterans feel like they're putting on another uniform," says Attig.
- These jobs are a crucial piece of the puzzle in post-military life, he says, adding that it's also a key part of suicide prevention for this at-risk group.
- "One of the most important things you can do for veterans is to find them a job."
2. 🍼 Office workers rush to find child care, dog-sitters
D.C.'s caretakers are in hot demand as federal employees scramble to rework their lives under President Trump's in-office mandate. Nail salons? Not so much.
The big picture: The local economy shakeup comes as other DMV employers like the Washington Post and Amazon have also pushed their employees to be on-site five days a week.
State of play: Area day care sites — child and canine — have seen a surge in interest since the federal return-to-work order.
- Children's day care group Bright Horizons, which operates several locations across Washington, has seen increased enrollment interest due to returning feds, a spokesperson tells Axios.
Meanwhile, the Falls Church, Fairfax City and Springfield locations of the doggie day care Dogtopia have also seen increased interest, as has Atlas Doghouse on H Street, owners tell Axios.
- Springfield Dogtopia owner Amber Sutton Donohoo also owns a nail salon in Arlington and tells Axios that she's seeing far fewer WFH clients come in during the lunch period.
3. Around the Beltway: "Virgina Has Jobs"
💻 Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a "resource package" yesterday for Virginia federal employees — some 145,000 workers — who've lost jobs under the Trump administration's cuts. It includes a new government site, "Virginia Has Jobs," with around 250,000 state openings at schools, prisons and more. (Axios)
🚶 There's a regional shortage of crossing guards, leading to school safety concerns, but D.C. officials say there's another obstacle: mandatory drug tests, which 43% of applicants fail. (Washington Post)
🪧 Workers at Stephen Starr's St. Anselm steakhouse voted 51-42 in favor of unionizing. It's the first of three buzzy D.C. Starr spots to vote — Pastis will vote Friday, and Le Diplomate, March 13.
4. 🐔 Rental chickens rising
One way to deal with an egg shortage: Hatch your own.
Why it matters: With egg prices skyrocketing and shortages in grocery stores, DMV folks looking for a reliable source — but not a huge commitment — can rent backyard chickens.
Zoom in: Rent The Chicken offers delivery and setup up of a coop on wheels, two or four young egg-laying hens, chicken feed, and food dishes for a five-to-six month rental period in D.C. and its suburbs.
- The one-time cost to have two hens from spring through fall starts at $495, which will yield around 8-14 eggs per week.
Between the lines: DMV farmers markets, including some year-round FreshFarm markets like in Dupont Circle, have also been reliable egg sources — and even cheaper than grocery stores.
- We recently spotted $13/dozen eggs at Giant in Potomac Yard — cluckin' expensive!
New jobs to check out
🏛️ See who's hiring around D.C.
- Advocacy Analyst at Arnold Ventures.
- Manager, Federal Affairs at American Dental Association.
- Senior Officer, Conservation Support, Conservation Finance at Pew Charitable Trusts.
- Director of Marketing & Communications at Indiana University Hamilton Lugar School.
- Director, Legislative Affairs at NACWA.
Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.
Hiring?Post a Job.
5. 🍝 Meatball mania
👋🏻Anna here, with a fun food event I'm judging — join me!
The great DC Meatball Battle is rolling into Navy Yard's Osteria Morini March 15 (12-3pm) with bottomless pasta and a balls-to-the-wall competition.
Chef Matt Adler is hosting eight star chefs from Red Hen, Chicatana, Daikaya and more, who'll battle for the best.
Tickets ($85) include meatballs, unlimited noods and a drink (plus: a raffle!). Proceeds go towards culinary scholarships and internships.
🍣 Anna is hoping to check out the new Japanese supermarket near Tysons.
📚Cuneyt is organizing his book shelves.
📖 Mimi is reading "Sweet Fury" by Sash Bischoff.
Want more Axios D.C. content? Check out our Instagram for extra stuff to do, behind-the-scenes photos, videos and more!
Today's newsletter was edited by Alexa Mencia Orozco.
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