AUGUSTA, Ga. – Significant changes in the federal workforce are reverberating across Augusta and the surrounding region, as new directives tied to the DOGE findings spark a wave of hiring freezes, layoffs, and contract terminations. With more than 50,000 federal employees in Georgia and South Carolina—many stationed at Fort Eisenhower and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center—the trickle-down effect from Washington is being keenly felt on the ground.

The Department of Defense’s ongoing efforts to streamline its operations are a direct result of executive mandates from the highest levels of government, including an order from President Donald Trump. These measures aim to reduce inefficiencies and trim excess, including plans to eliminate roughly 5,400 civilian positions within the Department of Defense.

While the changes are being rolled out, local officials at Fort Eisenhower and the VA Medical Center are struggling to provide clear answers to employees and the public. Spokespersons from both institutions told local news outlets that they are not privy to specific details of the impact in Augusta, as all directives and decisions are coming directly from Washington, D.C.

In a recent video posted on social media platform X, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke to the sweeping changes, emphasizing that the administration is following through with mandates set by President Trump. “The first is DOGE. They’re here, and we are welcoming them. In fact, just over there, they were here, and I met with them,” Hegseth stated. “This is something that was mandated by an executive order from the president. Remember, President Trump was elected. He has the prerogative to advance executive orders. Our job is to follow them, and we’re doing that.”

According to Hegseth, the process of reducing the civilian workforce will be guided by “common sense,” suggesting that underperforming probationary employees will likely be the first to be let go. The approach has raised concerns among local workers, many of whom are unsure whether they will be among those affected by the cuts.

At Fort Eisenhower alone, which employs more than 14,000 civilian staff, the uncertainty surrounding the future of these jobs is palpable. As the Department of Defense moves forward with its restructuring plans, local workers face an increasingly uncertain future.

As the situation develops, residents of Augusta and South Carolina will be closely monitoring the ripple effects of these changes on both the local workforce and the broader federal operations in the region. The full extent of the impact remains to be seen, but the outcome could significantly alter the federal landscape in the area.