Pause on Federal Grants - MD25-13

[BuzzH]

Trump administration directs agencies to fire recent hires en masse

Thousands of employees were already let go as of Thursday, a number that is expected to skyrocket in the coming days.

www.govexec.com

The Veterans Affairs Department announced Thursday evening it had dismissed 1,000 probationers, though it said it exempted those directly providing care and benefits to veterans and the number was just a fraction of its 43,000 employees in their trial periods.

“This was a tough decision, but ultimately it’s the right call to better support the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors the department exists to serve,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said.

 

[Nick87]

The Veterans Affairs Department announced Thursday evening it had dismissed 1,000 probationers, though it said it exempted those directly providing care and benefits to veterans and the number was just a fraction of its 43,000 employees in their trial periods.

“This was a tough decision, but ultimately it’s the right call to better support the Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors the department exists to serve,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said.

How long is the probationary period for most agencies or does it vary?

 

[BuzzH]

How long is the probationary period for most agencies or does it vary?

Mostly from 1-2 years and in some cases can be as long as 3 (not very common) and doesn't seem to vary between agencies.

It always makes me laugh that they say you can appeal to MSPB when the administration puts a strangle hold on it too. I'm sure there will be thousands, if not tens of thousands of back-logged cases.

 

[Trial153]

Making America great again one layoff at time.

 

[BuzzH]

Who in their right mind would even say something as dumb as, "we're understaffed, just hired a bunch of people, but its in the best interest of those in the VA, the caregivers, the people we serve, to shit-can 1000 staff that would better serve the VA". The right call? Sure as hell wouldn't want to see the wrong call.

WTF?

 

[rogerthat]

Completely unnecessary too. If the admin floats a legitimate legal Vera offer they would have got hundreds of thousands more voluntary reductions. Probably could have done the rest through attrition.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Completely unnecessary too. If the admin floats a legitimate legal Vera offer they would have got hundreds of thousands more voluntary reductions. Probably could have done the rest through attrition.

my thoughts exactly. Last time around, this admin lobbied to have the VSIP increased from 25 to 40k, so knowing that, a lot of folks are waiting for that announcement. But a simple vera, done the right way, and open for a year or two, would have gotten a whole lot of folks by itself, without expensive lawsuits, bad blood, or a whole generation of young bright people who will likely never even look at a gov job again.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Mostly from 1-2 years and in some cases can be as long as 3 (not very common) and doesn't seem to vary between agencies.

It always makes me laugh that they say you can appeal to MSPB when the administration puts a strangle hold on it too. I'm sure there will be thousands, if not tens of thousands of back-logged cases.

Add to that most probationary employees are entry level and cannot afford their rent, much less an attorney.

 

[hank4elk]

Will we get leaf rakers when full fire season comes?
Elonia must have the answer.

 

[SAJ-99]

...or a whole generation of young bright people who will likely never even look at a gov job again.

That is the point of this. As INMT said, defund and decry.

Next step is to farm out some of the work to private corporations. NASA to SpaceX, obviously. NOAA will be a private company and will sell weather forecasts, as spelled out in Project 2025. A lot of stuff on USFS and NPS is already run by companies. It's not like it's a secret plan.

 

[Hem]

I wanted to believe the first few weeks would bring good decision making in the WH.
How silly.

HAPPY V-DAY YOU BASTADS.

 

[BrentD]

I wanted to believe the first few weeks would bring good decision making in the WH.
How silly.

HAPPY V-DAY YOU BASTADS.
View attachment 360596

"V-Day" as in Vasectomy Day?

 

[Hem]

"V-Day" as in Vasectomy Day?

Interpretation is the readers discretion.

 

[Beignet]

There’s an interesting piece in the Economist showing that daily Treasury outlays have actually been about $4bn greater than they were at this time last year. All these services are being cut (many of which are important to our outdoor pursuits, not to mention people’s livelihoods) but the federal government has still somehow been spending more money and increasing the deficit since the “cuts” began. Not sure we’re getting the bargain savings many believe.

Source:
“Elon Musk is failing to cut American spending: DOGE has so far disrupted everything in government bar the deficit” Economist 2/12/25

 

[BrentD]

There’s an interesting piece in the Economist showing that daily Treasury outlays have actually been about $4bn greater than they were at this time last year. All these services are being cut (many of which are important to our outdoor pursuits, not to mention people’s livelihoods) but the federal government has still somehow been spending more money and increasing the deficit since the “cuts” began. Not sure we’re getting the bargain savings many believe.

Source:
“Elon Musk is failing to cut American spending: DOGE has so far disrupted everything in government bar the deficit” Economist 2/12/25

Actually made it much worse since the destruction costs money to happen and costs much, much more money to fix. Easily the least efficient that USA.gov has ever been. Congratulations, Magans.

 

[Buffs35]

Who in their right mind would even say something as dumb as, "we're understaffed, just hired a bunch of people, but its in the best interest of those in the VA, the caregivers, the people we serve, to shit-can 1000 staff that would better serve the VA". The right call? Sure as hell wouldn't want to see the wrong call.

WTF?

Why is this a surprise? He calls fallen soldiers suckers and losers.

 

[BrentD]

Why is this a surprise? He calls fallen soldiers suckers and losers.

I am not surprised. Are you?

 

[Buffs35]

I am not surprised. Are you?

Everything shocks me, nothing surprises me.

 

[Trial153]

Who in their right mind would even say something as dumb as, "we're understaffed, just hired a bunch of people, but its in the best interest of those in the VA, the caregivers, the people we serve, to shit-can 1000 staff that would better serve the VA". The right call? Sure as hell wouldn't want to see the wrong call.

WTF?

who in their right mind would put RFK in charge of anything? If you can’t rule that person out of contention for any position after a 20 minute conversation with him than your stupider than he is.
All these appointments are rewards for fealty which most appointments are. We just have a
bigger idiot then normally making them

 

[ismith]

Why is this a surprise? He calls fallen soldiers suckers and losers.

I am not surprised. Are you?

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/video-trump-insulting-soldiers-during-fox-news-call-is-altered-2024-09-05/