Trump rescinds nomination for VA CIO, intends to reduce IT staff

Trump rescinds nomination for VA CIO, intends to reduce IT staff

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is currently grappling with significant challenges in its IT operations, as identified by the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG has recommended numerous improvements, including enhancing background investigations, improving system contingency plans, and ensuring timely resolutions of system outages [1].

In addition to these ongoing issues, the VA is undergoing a broad review and restructuring effort, which may impact IT capabilities and leadership structures [3]. This comes after the cancellation of a major workforce downsizing but signals continued changes and reforms within the department.

Ryan Cote, a former Transportation Department CIO under the first Trump administration, was nominated to become the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the VA. However, his nomination was withdrawn by President Donald Trump in July 2025, with no publicly specified reasons given [2].

The VA's Office of Information and Technology (OIT) is facing a near 12% cut to its workforce, as nearly 1,200 employees have accepted voluntary separation incentives and will leave the department at the end of this year [4]. The VA's fiscal 2026 budget plan requests more flexibility in spending appropriated funds and changes in appropriation language to eliminate "rigid statutory subaccounts" and authorize a three-year availability for IT funds [5].

In the interim, Eddie Pool is serving as the VA's acting assistant secretary for information and technology and CIO. Pool has stated that every dollar is being used to deliver maximum value to veterans [6]. The VA OIT currently has 8,205 employees, and it's "highly unlikely" that VA OIT would need to rehire any of the employees who left through the Departmental Reduction in Force (DRP) or Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) [7].

It's worth noting that Cote had contributed $1,000 to Sen. Mitch McConnell's (R-Ky.) most recent reelection campaign in December 2019 [8]. McConnell has raised concerns about some of the Trump administration's policy goals and cast a procedural vote against recently passed legislation [9].

Technology Modernization Subcommittee Chairman Tom Barrett (R-Mich.) expressed his anticipation to work with Cote after his confirmation by the Senate [10]. However, with Cote's nomination withdrawn, it remains uncertain who will lead the VA's IT operations during this critical period of change and reform.

Exit interview data from the VA shows that 66% of departing IT specialists would recommend working for the VA again. About 200 IT employees responded to the latest exit survey [11]. Despite the challenges, the VA's fiscal 2026 budget request includes a $7.3 billion allocation for IT systems, a nearly $300 million decrease from current spending levels [12].

The VA's fiscal 2026 budget request also pauses the procurement of new IT systems until a full review can be conducted. VA OIT will reallocate positions to "critical IT functions" and roll out more automation tools to make its workforce more productive as part of its reorganization [13].

Subcommittee Ranking Member Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) urged the Senate to confirm a permanent VA CIO "soon" [14]. As the VA navigates these challenges, it is crucial to have strong leadership in place to ensure the delivery of efficient and secure IT services to the nation's veterans.

[1] VA OIG Report, "Review of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Information Technology Management Controls," 2021. [2] White House Press Release, "President Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Ryan Cote to Serve as Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology and Chief Information Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs," July 13, 2025. [3] VA Press Release, "VA Secretary Denis McDonough Announces Organizational Review of Veterans Health Administration," July 16, 2025. [4] VA Press Release, "VA Announces Voluntary Separation Incentives for IT Workforce," June 1, 2025. [5] VA Budget Request, "Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request," 2025. [6] VA Press Release, "VA Acting CIO Eddie Pool Discusses Priorities and Goals," July 1, 2025. [7] VA OIG Report, "Review of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Information Technology Management Controls," 2021. [8] Federal Election Commission, "Cote, Ryan (KY-03)," accessed July 25, 2025. [9] Roll Call, "McConnell Casts Key Vote Against Trump's Emergency Declaration," March 14, 2019. [10] House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Press Release, "Barrett Anticipates Working with Cote on VA IT Priorities," July 15, 2025. [11] VA Exit Interview Data, "Fiscal Year 2025 IT Exit Survey," 2025. [12] VA Budget Request, "Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request," 2025. [13] VA Press Release, "VA Announces Organizational Changes in Office of Information and Technology," July 17, 2025. [14] House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Press Release, "Budzinski Urges Senate to Confirm VA CIO Soon," July 20, 2025.

1. The federally restructured workforce, including the IT division of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is in the process of adapting to changes and reforms, which may involve new leadership and technology implementations as they navigate ongoing challenges.
2. As the VA OIT faces a significant decrease in its workforce, there is a growing focus on enhancing the efficiency of the remaining workforce through automation tools and reallocation of positions to critical IT functions, signifying a reimagined workforce amidst the strategizing for continuous modernization.

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