I-TEAM: Could DOGE VA firings impact local employees?

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - DOGE findings are leading off big changes in the federal government as hiring freezes, firings and eliminating contracts continue.

Georgia and South Carolina are home to more than 50,000 federal employees, many of whom work at Fort Eisenhower and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.

Our I-TEAM is taking a look into the trickle-down effect from D.C. to Augusta.

When we reached out to Fort Eisenhower and the VA medical center, spokespersons for each told us they themselves do not know. All answers come from the top in Washington.

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“The first is DOGE. They’re here, and we are welcoming them. In fact, just over there, they were here, and I met with them,” said Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a video posted on X.

“Now, this is something that was mandated by an executive order from the president. , President Trump was elected,” said Hegseth. “He has the prerogative to advance executive orders. Our job is to follow them, and we’re doing that.

Which includes eliminating a hiring freeze and eliminating about 5,400 civilian employees at the Department of Defense.

“Common sense would say let’s start our poor performers amongst our probationary employees because that is common sense,” said Hegseth.

More than 14,000 civilians work at Fort Eisenhower.

The I-TEAM asked the top people in Washington how many probationary workers will or have lost their jobs in Augusta.

The Pentagon’s response:

“This reevaluation of probationary employees is being done across government, not just at the defense department,” said Hegseth.

Including the Department of Veteran Affairs, which is eliminating 1,400 of its 40,000 probationary employees.

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• More on a case that vanished under Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams’ watch
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VA Secretary Doug Collins posted a video on X after meeting with DOGE, too.

“Right now, I’ve been told we are the first step from two billion,” said Collins. “That’s billion with a ‘b’ that we found in contracts that are cutting. Those are things we’re doing that we can back into healthcare benefits, making sure that we are doing what the VA is supposed to do, and that’s health and veterans’ benefits.

We asked Veteran Affairs which contracts and positions the department had eliminated locally at Charlie Norwood. Here’s their response:

“VA Augusta has dismissed a small number of probationary staff this month. This decision will have no negative effect on veteran health care, benefits or other services and will allow the VA to focus more effectively on its core mission of serving veterans, families, caregivers and survivors. We cannot discuss specific personnel matters due to privacy concerns.

The VA will begin terminating the employment of remote and telework employees who do not return to work by the end of April.

A spokesperson tells us they’re working to make room for employees returning to the office.

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