“A Northern Virginia couple is hashing out their next steps after the husband, a 13-year, disabled military veteran and nearly two-year information technology technician with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was fired Monday, as part of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to shrink the federal workforce.
… Because they are concerned about possible retaliation and a likely appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board, the couple asked WTOP not to use their names for this story.
The man pointed to the fact that his performance at FEMA was upgraded to “career conditional,” a step between one year and three years, and he was not a “probationary” employee. At three years he would have qualified for “career” status. He also cited his military service, disability status and exceptional performance reviews.
“I was all in the range of fours, which means exceeding expectations,” he said.
… The termination is complicated by the fact that last November they supported Donald Trump when he sought the White House for a second term.
“I voted for Donald Trump. But this is not what I was expecting,” he said. “We didn’t think they were going to take a chainsaw to a silk rug.”
… The man’s wife said they also believed his 13 years of military service in the Navy and Air Force Reserves, with an honorable discharge as an E-4, would have offered him more protection against DOGE cuts.
“I recognize there are a lot of cuts that need to be made, but this is not the one that you think will happen to your family,” she said.
“I encouraged him to take the job there, because he loved working for the agency, and I think it has a good mission.” …”