Residents line New Castle Road on Saturday, March 1, across from VA Butler Healthcare. They were protesting federal job cuts. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
BUTLER TWP — Some protesters, like Air Force veteran Kurt Larson, were pleasantly surprised to see that despite the light snow and overnight drop in temperatures, more than 100 people showed up along New Castle Road on Saturday, March 1, to protest potential cuts to VA Butler Healthcare.
“I did not, especially with the weather, expect nearly this many people. The VA, they do a wonderful job,” Larson said. “They were understaffed, even before all of this started, but they really help out the veterans and their families. My father-in-law, he was a Korean War veteran, he was in a nursing home and got great care. And, they did hospice for him, and they just do a wonderful job.”
Along with Larson, Saturday afternoon’s protest across from VA Butler Healthcare peaked a little less than 140 attendees, with Butler residents voicing displeasure over looming federal layoffs, and strongly criticizing the current presidential administration.
The protest was organized by the Butler County Democratic Committee and lasted from noon to 2 p.m. at the corner of New Castle Road and South Duffy Road.
Paul Eiswerth, of Robinson Township, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard, protests federal job cuts on Saturday, March 1, across from the Butler VA Medical Center. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
According to the state Center for Workforce Information & Analysis, the federal government employs 3,300 people in Butler County. The federal government is the largest employer in Butler County as of 2024 according to Pennsylvania Department of Labor.
Protesters stood in a grassy area between the four-lane road and the Target parking lot as cars whizzed past. They were met with frequent beeping from drivers, largely supportive but occasionally shouting at them in disapproval.
Signs ranged from messages supportive of the Butler VA and Butler employees, to attacks against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Chants ranged from “Support Federal Workers,” to “De-Musk America.”
Despite the cold weather, a majority of demonstrators were still there by 1:30 p.m.
“This was with very little advertising, but there’s a huge swelling of people that have been motivated,” said Lisa Quebedeaux, who is running for city council this year. “Even on a day as cold and frigid as today, this is the kind of crowd we’ve got. The purpose of the protest wasn’t inherently Democrat versus Republican. It was about local jobs.
“There’s people who would be laid off at the VA, or at (the Office of Personnel Management). Including lots of people who likely voted for the Republican candidate. But it doesn’t matter. I think the people who are out here, they value compassion regardless of what side of the political spectrum you’re on.”
Up to this point, Butler Eagle reporting has stemmed from a Jan. 31 article by the Federal News Network, that cited multiple anonymous sources who claimed that an internal meeting saw administration officials direct senior OPM staff to cut their internal workforce by 70%.
As of Feb. 22, around 30,000 federal employees were laid off and around 75,000 took deferred resignation.
Debra Barger, who helped organize and lead the protest, held a picture of her sister, who served in the Air Force for 24 years. She said the protest was dedicated to people like her.
“I’ve spent 47 years in healthcare, and the past 13 were here. Healthcare is in my bloodline, and I think that vets deserve the best care they can get without interruptions,” Barger said. “I think what Elon Musk is doing is wrong.”
The protesters had a duel focus — Butler County residents potentially losing jobs and what they see as an overreach by the administration.
The VA Butler Healthcare system’s website says it serves over 25,000 veterans in Western Pennsylvania, and employs around 800 people.
“I don’t think our jobs should be threatened by Elon Musk. It’s not fair. These people have done nothing but work hard their whole lives. It’s not fair to be threatened all of a sudden, and now they’ll have to think, ‘can I retire?’” said protester Alice Baptiste.
The Butler Eagle previously reported OPM employs in the range of 600 to 700 people in Butler County.
“I’m very concerned about the OPM and the fact of them closing or trying to close the mine, and people in there who could potentially lose their jobs, that’s a big concern,” said Paul Dau, who served in the Air Force for four years in the 1970s. “I came out here today and am looking at all these people, and thinking this is fantastic. Little did I think this would happen in Butler.”
One OPM worker at the protest said she couldn’t identify herself because OPM workers in Butler County “all feel like we have targets on our backs.”
“It makes me teary to see this many people come out and support us. I think when they talk about efficiency, it’s not efficiency in government. It’s efficiency in getting rid of people without any reason or cause, and what they’re doing is illegal,” the OPM worker said.
The signs and chants centered around the workers of Butler County at Saturday afternoon’s protest. But plenty of chants and signs were critical of Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE, and several Ukrainian flags were flown alongside American flags.
“I think Trump’s not a king, and it’s important to speak up,” said protester Mary Lee Hart.
Residents line New Castle Road on Saturday, March 1, across from the Butler VA Medical Center. They were protesting federal job cuts. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Residents line New Castle Road on Saturday, March 1, across from VA Butler Healthcare, to protest federal job cuts. Chris Leisie/Special to Butler Eagle.
Event organizer Debbie Barger, left, and Charles Tanner, of Butler, protest Saturday, March 1, 2025, across from VA Butler Healthcare, in Butler Township. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Protesters shared a variety of signs Saturday, March 1, 2025, along New Castle Road across from the Butler VA Medical Center to speak out against federal job cuts. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Protesters shared a variety of signs Saturday, March 1, 2025, along New Castle Road across from the Butler VA Medical Center to speak out against federal job cuts. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
