WASHINGTON (AP) — A bill introduced by a new Democratic congressman seeks to safeguard the employment of veterans who have been dismissed from their positions within the U.S. government during the mass firings initiated by the Trump administration. Rep. Derek Tran, an Army veteran and former employment lawyer, is leading the charge with this legislation, which demands that any veterans unjustly terminated from federal roles since President Donald Trump took office be reinstated. The bill also mandates that federal agencies must provide explanations for these dismissals and submit reports to Congress detailing the veteran layoffs.
“The veterans who have been let go deserve respect for the sacrifices they made in service to our country and defense of our freedoms,” stated Tran, who represents parts of Orange County, California. “It is unacceptable that they are now facing unemployment.”
Although the bill is unlikely to progress in the Republican-controlled House, it underscores the ongoing efforts by Democrats to address the upheaval caused by the Trump administration within federal agencies. Nearly 6,000 veterans have reportedly lost their jobs across the federal government, with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), overseen by billionaire adviser Elon Musk, being responsible for around 38,000 federal employee terminations since Trump’s second term began.
Tran criticized the dismissals as detrimental to the government and the country, emphasizing the impact on workers and suggesting that the savings from these actions were being redirected for tax cuts. Democrats have condemned the administration’s actions as overreach, while Republicans argue that the measures are necessary to reduce bureaucracy.
Tran, who served in the U.S. Army and is the son of Vietnamese immigrants, highlighted the importance of supporting veterans who have transitioned from military service to government jobs. He expressed his desire for bipartisan cooperation on the bill, emphasizing that it is a matter of protecting those who have served the nation.
As the bill aims to rectify the unjust treatment of veterans in the workforce, Tran’s personal background and experience as a veteran underscore his commitment to serving those who have dedicated themselves to the country.
I sneaked into the recruiter’s office without informing my parents or my friends and signed up.
