Crushing the Commonwealth: What the Trump Cuts Mean for Virginia — And How We’re Fighting Back

Hampton, VA — June 24, 2025

This week, our very own president-elect Stacy Shorter joined a powerhouse panel hosted by the Center for American Progress to expose the real-life fallout of Trump’s federal cuts in Virginia — and to show what organized workers are doing to fight back.

In a virtual event titled Crushing the Commonwealth, Stacy spoke alongside economists, nonprofit leaders, and arts organizers to paint a devastating picture: over 10,000 federal jobs lost in Virginia this year alone, services gutted, and entire communities blindsided by Doge-driven policies designed to weaken unions and dismantle public service.

But as Stacy made clear: we saw this coming — and we have a plan.

Representing more than 1,300 employees at the Hampton VA Medical Center and its surrounding clinics, Stacy laid out the four-headed crisis facing our members:

• DOGE-imposed terminations
• Looming RIFs (reductions in force)
• Hiring freezes
• Chronic understaffing

Together, these policies don’t just weaken care for veterans. They attempt to break the backbone of the federal workforce — the union.

But AFGE Local 2328 is fighting back in the courts, in Congress, and in the streets. When 12 VA workers — nearly all veterans — were illegally terminated with zero notice, we mobilized instantly. Thanks to our coalition of labor allies from across Virginia, we won their jobs back. That’s what solidarity looks like.

“The plan was to attack labor unions… to politicize the workforce and make federal employees at-will… But we read Project 2025. We were ready.” — Stacy Shorter

This fight is far from over, but as Stacy reminded viewers: solidarity is a superpower. With support from unions like USW 8888, the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, the Virginia AFL-CIO, and everyday people in Hampton Roads, we’re proving that no one fights alone.

“Just showing up is 50% of the fight. Hold a sign. Bring water. Join something.” — Stacy Shorter

🎥 Watch the full panel recording here:

Whether you’re a public servant, a veteran, or a concerned Virginian — the message is clear: if they come for one of us, they come for all of us. But together, we’re ready.