A wave of mass firings has hit Minnesota federal workers, leaving nearly 60% of the state’s federal workforce without jobs. The layoffs are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce the government’s footprint and eliminate inefficiencies.
Many employees who lost their jobs have been with the agency for over a decade, with some having spent years honing their skills in public service. Those let go include veterans, law enforcement officers, and even healthcare professionals.
One veteran and former law enforcement officer, John Helcl, was told he was being terminated just one month after starting his job at the Veterans Administration. He had been hired to investigate questionable work performance among fellow federal employees, a role that seemed ironic given his own termination.
“It is a betrayal,” Helcl said. “I understand budget saving measures — I actually can kind of appreciate that — but, at the same time, you don’t cure the disease by killing the patient.”
Another former employee, MacClement Guthrie, was working as a public health advisor when he lost his job after just over two months. He had been teaching high school classes on reproductive health and providing STI testing services to students.
Guthrie said he saw “the writing on the wall” weeks ahead but was still caught off guard by the sudden news of layoffs. His former colleagues are now scrambling to staff the clinics that Guthrie used to serve.
In another case, Chris Wicker, a small business owner turned public servant, received two termination letters in quick succession after just eight months as a deputy director at the U.S. Small Business Administration. Despite his dedication and positive performance reviews from his supervisor, colleagues, and clients, Wicker was deemed “unfit for public service.”
The layoffs have left many employees feeling frustrated, demotivated, and worried about their future employment prospects. Some are already looking into pursuing class-action lawsuits against the Trump administration.
As the situation unfolds, questions remain about the motivations behind these mass firings and how they will impact those affected.
Source: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/02/22/fired-federal-workers-in-minnesota-mourn-the-loss-of-their-dream-jobs