In response to the mass firings of veterans by the Trump administration, Congressman Derek Tran, an Army veteran and former employment lawyer, has introduced a bill aimed at protecting the jobs of veterans working for the U.S. government. The bill would mandate the reinstatement of any veterans terminated without reason since President Trump’s term began and require federal agencies to provide justifications for veteran dismissals to Congress.

Tran emphasized the sacrifices veterans have made to defend the country and expressed concern over their treatment, stating, “Now they’ve been kicked to the curb.” Despite being unlikely to advance in the Republican-controlled House, the bill reflects Democrats’ efforts to address the upheaval within federal agencies under the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk.

Data from Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee revealed that nearly 6,000 veterans and 38,000 federal employees have been fired by DOGE since Trump’s second term began. Tran criticized these actions as disruptive and potentially benefiting the wealthy at the expense of government employees.

While Democrats have criticized the administration’s actions as unlawful power grabs, Republicans have supported efforts to streamline the federal bureaucracy. Tran has sought bipartisan support for the bill, emphasizing its importance in protecting those who served the country.

Tran, the son of Vietnamese immigrants, credits federal and state programs in California for his family’s support, inspiring his military service and subsequent advocacy for veterans. His bill seeks to uphold the tradition of encouraging veterans to work across the government and honor their contributions to the nation.