How a VA social worker's life has changed since leaving the job

"At the time, Goggin was a clinical social worker with the VA, providing therapy to veterans with addiction and trauma. The majority of her clients were Black. She ran support groups where they often discussed hard topics like racism. She feared Trump's new policies cracking down on diversity, equity and inclusion could impede her work. GOGGIN: The atmosphere has been pretty tense, and people are really uncertain and questioning, like, what is OK."

"The upheaval to the federal workforce in 2025 drove tens of thousands of federal employees to leave their jobs. One former employee of the Veterans Health Administration reflects on the year. MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: It has been a turbulent year for federal employees here in the U.S. The Trump administration has fired thousands of them. Far more have resigned - many under pressure. NPR's Andrea Hsu paid a return visit to one of the many federal workers she spoke with this year."

The 2025 upheaval in the federal workforce led to thousands of firings and far more resignations. Many federal employees left under pressure or uncertainty about policy changes. Liz Goggin, a VA clinical social worker who treated veterans with addiction and trauma, served mostly Black clients and led support groups addressing racism. Fear of restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion and instability in her household prompted a resignation attempt tied to a buyout program. Eligibility was denied to most VA staff, and Goggin ultimately left the VA in June without receiving the buyout and later relocated to a new office.

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