by Kierra Johnson
Many hardworking Americans have felt the detrimental effects of DOGE’s clumsy strategy of removing them from their jobs. Several government departments such as USAID, the Department of Education, and others have either been affected by massive layoffs, or they have been effectively defunded. While federal workers across America are being treated terribly by Elon Musk and President Trump, the economic impact in Virginia is devastating, as it is one of the states with the highest number of federal workers, falling just under California’s number. Among the states that are being affected by the layoffs that are spearheaded by DOGE, Virginia is disproportionately impacted, with over 80,000 federal workers living in Fairfax County alone. With the high possibility of more layoffs coming, it is clear that both President Trump’s and Governor Youngkin’s administrations are failing the people of Virginia by creating an environment of instability and fear.
In response to people in Virginia losing their jobs, the Youngkin administration introduced the “Virginia Has Jobs” initiative, an attempt to soften the blow of federal cuts made by DOGE. Although the program claims that there are over 259,000 jobs open in Virginia, there are at least two major shortcomings with this solution. Firstly, a household needs a steady stream of income in order to take care of basics such as bills, food, and healthcare for the household. Most workers cannot afford to miss work for a significant amount of time while they look for another position, and the next job is not guaranteed to fulfill the salary requirements that laid off workers may need. There are also varying amounts of training that prospective workers would need to fill open roles, and in the meantime, there are no safety nets that can supplement the income of a federal worker. Still, one of the first suggestions on the “Resources for Impacted Federal Workers” is to “prepare for the job search”.
Another major flaw with this initiative is that one of the resources offered to Virginia workers is application for unemployment benefits. Those who have been laid off have to apply for unemployment to receive notice of their eligibility. In the case that the applicant is approved, the weekly maximum benefit in Virginia is $378, which amounts to $1,512 per month. This monthly wage is just a fraction of what federal workers typically receive, as 92% of federal workers are considered “white collar”, with roughly 8% of them making less than $50,000 per year. Even with maximum benefits, federal workers whose only source of income would be unemployment would not be receiving enough to maintain their households. Instead of condemning the financial harm that DOGE is causing to workers in Virginia, Governor Youngkin continues to stay silent on the actions of the Trump administration, at a time when Virginia workers need protection.
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle Sears is also not speaking out against the layoffs that are hurting Virginia workers. In fact, she has expressed that the layoffs are a minimal problem. In a recording leaked by Meidas Touch, Sears likened the losses to the everyday job market, but unemployment numbers betray Sears’ underplay of the situation. According to Virginia’s Department of Workforce Development and Advancement, over 2,500 initial unemployment claims were filed in the week ending on March 29th, with over 2,600 being filed the previous week. Compared to last year for the week ending on March 23rd, these claims are a near 28% increase in claims, with many of the applicants being previous federal contractors. Christine Surrette, who is the national vice president for the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) District 4 and a former VA employee spoke to the Virginia Mercury saying, “I’ve had to console employees who were laid off, who don’t know how they’ll make rent. Some have taken their own lives. Sears isn’t on the side of Virginians.” The financial and emotional distress on workers, combined with the factor of an already restrictive job market, is ample evidence that Sears’ dismissal of Virginia workers’ concerns is extremely insensitive and uninformed.
The reality of Republican administrations, namely the Youngkin administration, is that they have always thrived and will continue to thrive on the revocation of rights and the disruption of livelihoods. So far, Governor Youngkin has focused on attacking historically accurate education in schools, reproductive rights, and supported President Trump’s arbitrary tax laws that will only make life harder for Virginia families. The truth about what people living in Virginia need is simple and universal. They need stability and leadership that does not put their lives under constant threat. Virginia needs leaders who will stand up to tyranny, rather than aligning themselves with it.
Elections in November will be very important for Virginia, because it will be the time for voters to choose leaders who will stand up for those who are being affected by the Trump administration’s harmful policies. To take action, make a voting plan, and support the platforms of candidates who want to protect Virginia workers rather than throwing them under the bus for political gain. Republicans are taking every opportunity to dismiss the concerns of the people of Virginia, and November is the best chance that voters have to stop them.