1. United States
2. Mass.
3. Letter

The reckless proposal to cut between 47,500 and 76,000 civilian employees from the Department of Defense (DoD) is a severe violation of established laws and protocols. Title 10, Section 129a of the U.S. Code mandates an extensive impact analysis and detailed congressional reporting before any substantial reduction in the civilian workforce can occur. However, this hasty decision circumvents these critical requirements, demonstrating a concerning disregard for legal procedures designed to safeguard national security. These drastic cuts compromise the DoD's operational capabilities and military readiness, potentially endangering the lives of service members and civilians alike. Terminating probationary employees first is a shortsighted approach that fails to consider the long-term ramifications on workload distribution, force structure, and overall effectiveness. Furthermore, the recent dismissals of high-ranking Pentagon officials, including the Joint Chiefs Chairman and the Chief of Naval Operations, exacerbate the destabilizing effect on critical leadership and decision-making processes. Upholding robust national security should be a paramount priority, not a casualty of reckless cost-cutting measures. I urge you to take immediate action to halt these unlawful layoffs, protect the integrity of the DoD's civilian workforce, and preserve the operational readiness vital to safeguarding our nation's interests and the well-being of its citizens.