White House counselor Alina Habba sparked controversy on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, after implying some veterans could be "not fit" for government jobs during her remarks to reporters outside the White House. These comments arise amid extensive layoffs conducted by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), sparking backlash from veterans advocates and lawmakers.
"But perhaps they’re not fit to have a job at this moment, or not willing to come to work," Habba stated, echoing the administration's fiscal rationale for the cuts. "We care about veterans tremendously. That’s something the president has always cared about — anybody in blue, anybody who serves this country. But at the same time, we have taxpayer dollars, we have a fiscal responsibility to use taxpayer dollars to pay people who actually work." Habba's remarks drew immediate criticism from various lawmakers, reflecting deep concern over the dismissal of veterans who have served the country.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore (D) reacted strongly to Habba’s comments, asserting, "Our veterans risked everything for America—now they come home to be told by those who've Given Nothing for this Country That They're 'Not Fit.' They’re more than fit to serve." Moore's statement serves as part of the larger narrative of legislators calling out the seeming disregard for veterans by the current administration.
At the heart of this controversy is the significant impact of the workforce reductions induced by DOGE, with estimates indicating as many as 6,000 veterans have been laid off. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) have voiced their concerns, questioning the administration’s treatment of the veterans and calling for transparency on the number of veterans affected and plans for their support.
Many Democratic lawmakers have chosen to highlight the plight of veterans during the upcoming joint address to Congress, bringing along fired individuals as their guests. This includes lawmakers like Rep. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who plan to invite veterans impacted by the layoffs to draw attention to the administration's cuts.
Among those directly affected is Chelsea Milburn, who described her experience of being laid off from the Education Department as "a betrayal." Milburn, who served for over eleven years, shared emotional reflections on her treatment: "I’ve got nothing but positive reviews. It feels very much like the message is my service isn’t valued." Another former employee, Gabriel D’Alatri, insisted he was diligent, stating, "I was showing up at my job making sure IRS facilities were running properly amid peak tax season," only to be abruptly terminated.
Further complicity lies within the bureaucratic upheaval as criticisms of the administration's approach become apparent. Reps. Eric Sorenson (D-Ill.) and Alissa Ellman, along with others, have echoed similar sentiments, underscoring how veterans should be honored for their service rather than faced with such dismissive comments by administration officials. Ellman, a disabled Army veteran who was terminated, noted how the system failed to communicate effectively about layoffs.
The administration's push for cuts is represented as part of Trump's broader attempt to overhaul efficiency within the federal government. With veterans comprising approximately 30% of federal employees as per the Office of Personnel Management, the decision to let go of workers is particularly jarring. Of these individuals, nearly 640,000 were counted as veterans, with over half of them identifying as disabled.
Addressing the public sentiment surrounding these layoffs, Habba has attempted to navigate the backlash by framing the issue around fiscal responsibility. Yet, many find this rationale unsettling. Comments from military veterans such as Jesus Tony Ruiz, who lamented, "I served my country, and now they fired me..." reverberate as intense reminders of the sacrifices made by those who donned the uniform.
Habba's remarks certainly set the stage for significant dialogue as she supports cuts under DOGE and stands by the administration’s policies. Noting some specifics, she remarked, "I wouldn’t take money from you and pay somebody and say, 'Sorry, they’re not going to come to work.' It’s just not acceptable." Despite her attempts at justifying the cuts, the human cost and the personal stories of veterans bring to the forefront the emotional toll these decisions impose on the lives of many who served.
The political fallout from these interactions is likely to escalate as more stories of veterans surface and communities mobilize to support them. With protests planned at the joint address and considerable public scrutiny over how veterans are treated, it becomes clear this issue is not just about government efficiency but the morality of how we treat those who have served our country. The coming days may not only dictate the fate of many veterans who find themselves unexpectedly out of work but also influence political alignments related to veterans’ rights and military service recognition moving forward.