California Attorney General Rob Bonta, supported by a coalition of state attorneys general, has filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget. These requests aim to gather information on the number of veterans and their spouses dismissed during the Trump Administration's recent mass terminations of federal employees. Veterans make up about 30% of the federal workforce, making the government the largest employer for this group nationwide.
"We won’t let the President’s ruthless decision to fire employees, including many U.S. veterans and their spouses, go unchecked," stated Attorney General Bonta. "Not only is this decision shortsighted, but it has caused turmoil across states nationwide by disrupting critical services and impacting the households of U.S. veterans and their families. Our veterans have risked their lives for our safety and freedom, and they deserve better. That’s why I, alongside attorneys general nationwide, are demanding answers from the Trump Administration on this decision."
The FOIA requests seek detailed records concerning how many veterans and their spouses have been terminated since January 20, 2025, due to broad workforce reductions mandated by Executive Orders 14210 and 14217. The coalition is requesting:
- Data on terminated federal employees entitled to veterans' preference.
- Information on terminations involving veteran employees or their spouses.
- Any correspondence related to these terminations' impact.
Attorney General Bonta collaborates with his counterparts from Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington in this effort.