Trump’s VA secretary defends 80,000 layoffs in a wildly unpersuasive way

Defending 80,000 layoffs, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said, "The federal government does not exist to employ people." He's badly missing the point.

Thursday, March 06, 2025 TODAY'S TOP MADDOWBLOG POSTS Trump's VA secretary defends 80,000 layoffs in a wildly unpersuasive way Trump's VA secretary defends 80,000 layoffs in a wildly unpersuasive way Defending 80,000 layoffs, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said, "The federal government does not exist to employ people." He's badly missing the point. MORE Even some Republicans express concern about the White House's vetting process As the number of Trump administration officials with bigoted online records grows, the White House's vetting process is facing bipartisan pushback. MORE Even some Republicans express concern about the White House's vetting process As the number of Trump administration officials with bigoted online records grows, the White House's vetting process is facing bipartisan pushback. MORE Tuberville says a bit too much about Elon Musk and DOGE's reach Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville said Elon Musk and his surrogates "know what they're doing a hell of a lot more" than he does. That wasn't exactly reassuring. MORE Tuberville says a bit too much about Elon Musk and DOGE's reach Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville said Elon Musk and his surrogates "know what they're doing a hell of a lot more" than he does. That wasn't exactly reassuring. MORE On Medicaid cuts, budget officials tell Republicans what they didn't want to hear Democrats said the Republican budget would slash Medicaid. GOP leaders disagreed. The Congressional Budget Office just settled the debate. MORE On Medicaid cuts, budget officials tell Republicans what they didn't want to hear Democrats said the Republican budget would slash Medicaid. GOP leaders disagreed. The Congressional Budget Office just settled the debate. MORE MORE FROM THE MADDOWBLOG Trump power grab tripped up by distinctly American resistance Maddow warns of likelihood of Trump admin cooking economic stats to hide poor performance The White House pushes a self-defeating line on the price of eggs Why some U.S. allies are reassessing intelligence sharing with the Trump administration   MSNBC INSIGHTS Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! Join the MSNBC Insights Community.   NEWS TIPS? SEND IT TO RACHEL FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM RACHEL MADDOW ON TWITTER Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY | CONTACT | VIEW IN BROWSER