WARREN — The Trump administration’s push to reduce federal civilian jobs has ignited legal challenges and created a sense of unease in Trumbull County, where some locals worry about what cuts to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) staff and nearby Defense Department facilities could mean for veteran resources and critical services.
The plan calls for the Department of Defense (DoD) to trim its civilian workforce of 950,000 by 5 to 8%, starting with 5,400 probationary employees terminated in February. The focus of The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is to cut 70,000 jobs, reverting to 2019 staffing levels. On March 13, a federal judge halted mass terminations at both agencies, ordering reinstatement offers for affected workers.
VA Secretary Doug Collins stated that “mission-critical” roles, including health care and benefits processing, would remain protected.
In a statement, Darin Selnick, acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, called the cuts a necessary step to “eliminate redundancies” and prioritize efficiency.
The Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission (VSC), which assists more than 14,000 local veterans, reports no immediate changes to VA health care or benefits. However, officials anticipate strain if federal job losses escalate.
“Federal cutbacks could create a bigger problem for veterans here,” said Cari Delgado, director of the Trumbull County VSC. “We have Trumbull County residents serving in the Coast Guard or working for the VA. If they lose their income, they’ll need our office more than ever for housing, job searches or emergency aid.”
The agency has expanded its emergency financial assistance budget, preparing to address potential surges in demand.
“We’re good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Delgado said.
Chuck Ciapala, the county’s veterans outreach coordinator, noted a spike in calls from veterans fearing lost benefits.
“Our job is to cut through misinformation,” he said. “No one’s taking their checks, but anxiety is high.”
On March 14, protests erupted nationwide, including in Warren, where demonstrators like Jamie Sherman and Gary Tuttle criticized the cuts. “Trump and (Elon) Musk are destroying this country,” said Sherman, a Niles resident. “How can he do this to our veterans? They put their lives on the line, and now he’s betraying them.”
Tuttle, of Fowler, called the reductions reckless: “They’re using a chainsaw instead of a scalpel. These cuts are unchecked, they’re destroying everything that means anything to this country.”
The Youngstown Air Reserve Station declined to comment on local impacts, directing inquiries to the DoD’s public statements.
While the VA claims frontline health care roles are safe, critics argue cuts to administrative staff could delay disability claims and crisis services. More than 27% of VA employees are veterans themselves, which amplifies the concerns of people regarding the economic fallout.
Delgado shared a personal account of a veteran’s fear: “One called me saying, ‘If they cut my VA benefits, I can’t afford to live.’ That’s undue stress. But we’re prepared to help if anything changes.”
Delgado stressed the VSC’s readiness: “If other agencies are cut, we’ll step up. Our veterans were here for Trumbull County, we’ll be here for them.”
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