One employee at Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County and several others at Bay Pines VA Hospital in St. Petersburg have lost their jobs as federal downsizing under the Trump Administration begins to impact Southwest Florida.  

 

The individual laid off at Big Cypress was in a probationary period and was dismissed on Tuesday, Feb. 18, according to Michelle Hanson, lands and permits coordinator at the preserve. Hanson declined to provide further details, directing inquiries to the National Park Service.  

 

At Bay Pines VA Hospital, Public Affairs Officer Medina Ayala-Lo responded to questions with the following statement:  

 

“The Bay Pines VA Healthcare System has dismissed a small number of probationary staff. This decision will have no negative effect on Veteran health care, benefits, or other services and will allow VA to focus more effectively on its core mission of serving Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. We cannot discuss specific personnel matters due to privacy concerns.”  

 

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Feb. 13 that it had dismissed more than 1,000 employees.  

 

According to the Associated Press, job cuts have also been reported in several federal agencies, including Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, the Justice Department, and USAID.