Youngkin: I have ‘extraordinary empathy’ for federal workers at risk of losing jobs

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said on Monday that he has empathy for the state’s federal workers at risk of losing their jobs as a result of the Trump administration’s efforts to cut down the size of the federal government under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 

“I understand and I actually have extraordinary empathy for the fact that there are many workers in Virginia today from our federal workforce who are experiencing real concerns,” Youngkin said at a press conference in Northern Virginia highlighting new economic opportunities in the state. 

“Listen, we have a federal government that is inefficient and we have an administration that is taking on that challenge of rooting our waste, fraud, and abuse,” he continued. 

“I would suggest that our federal workforce is not at fault here but the reality is any CEO who steps into a position where there is an organization that has such deep financial challenges is going to have to make change and therefore I recognize that this change will impact Virginians. We have a lot of federal workers in the commonwealth,” he said. 

Youngkin made the remarks during a press conference in McLean, where he announced the state’s “Virginia Has Jobs” initiative. In additional to promoting 250,000 open jobs in the state, Youngkin also said a “support resource bundle” would be available to federal workers looking for work. 

“We care about you and we have that support system in order to help you find that next great opportunity,” the governor said. 

Virginia is home to roughly 145,000 federal employees, along with large swaths of government contractors. Additionally, the state is home to a massive military population.

Virginia Democrats have capitalized on how DOGE efforts could negatively impact the state’s federal workforce, and by extension the state’s economy. 

Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) responded to Youngkin’s remarks in a post on X, pledging to stand up for Virginians. 

“The job of Virginia’s Governor is to always stand up for Virginians — even if that means standing up to your own party,” Spanberger said. “Here’s my promise to Virginia’s workers: as your next Governor, I will always stand up for you.”

Youngkin cannot run for a consecutive term. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R ) is running in the Republican primary. Former Del. Dave LaRock (R ) is also expected to launch a run in the GOP primary.