New Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., will be giving the Democratic response to the State of the Union address March 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Lennox, for his part, said he was notified about his firing in a Feb. 13 email, which read in part: "The Agency finds, based on your performance, that you have not demonstrated that your further employment at the Agency would be in the public interest."
He provided a copy of the email to local news outlets and members of Congress who criticized DOGE's decision to cut VA jobs as part of its effort to trim federal spending.
While the email suggested Lennox had been fired for his performance, he told news outlets later that he had never received a performance evaluation during his two-month tenure.
TOP OFFICIAL AT FBI NEW YORK FIELD OFFICE FORCED TO RETIRE
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., right, has detailed the Democrats' efforts to hinder Elon Musk, left, and his Department of Government Efficiency. (Reuters)
While DOGE said the personnel cuts will save the department more than $98 million annually, Lennox has taken issue with the manner in which the VA employees were notified — as well as prospects for continued care and services for veterans.
"If you want to lay me off as an in a reduction of force, please do that, but give us the time to prepare for a proper transition so that the veterans don't suffer from this," Lennox told a local news outlet in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Slotkin, a former House member and CIA analyst, likely will focus a portion of her speech on the sharp reductions DOGE has made to the federal workforce as it seeks to shrink the federal budget.
In a press release announcing her rebuttal, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. said Slotkin "will offer a bold vision of hope, unity, and a brighter future for everyone, not just the wealthy few at the top."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Her remarks are slated to begin at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Breanne Deppisch is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the Trump administration, with a focus on the Justice Department, FBI, and other national news.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/who-andrew-lennox-veteran-appearing-beside-sen-slotkin-during-democrat-rebuttal