Veteran Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins on Wednesday defended his decision to reduce his department's workforce by thousands of jobs, stating that it was not an easy choice but would ultimately make the department more efficient.

The department's decision is part of a larger plan by the Trump administration to restructure the federal government. The administration previously advised departments to fire probationary employees, but it is not clear if the VA's plan will only impact probationary employees.

Collins said the department will conduct a thorough review of its operations and promised that the cuts would not impact “health care or benefits to veterans and VA beneficiaries." 

“We regret anyone who loses their job, and it’s extraordinarily difficult for me, especially as a VA leader and your secretary, to make these types of decisions," Collins said. "But the federal government does not exist to employ people. It exists to serve people. At the VA, we are focused on serving veterans better than ever before."

Collins observed that although the cuts will reduce certain jobs, the department is still hiring "for more than 300,000 mission critical positions" to ensure that VA beneficiaries are not impacted.

"The VA will always fulfill its duty to provide veterans, families, caregivers and survivors the health care and benefits they have earned," he said. "That’s a promise."

Collins added that the department will also be reviewing its contracts to eliminate redundant contracts, and will spend the money saved from those contracts on better healthcare services and benefits. 

The promise to use the money on benefits and services would fix a major concern among veterans, who have complained about long wait-lines and poor customer service.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.