This is a new series – Sacrificed for ‘Savings’ … in which we are showcasing the true impact of the Trump-Musk purge of federal employees via DOGE, by allowing those affected to tell their stories in their own words. LaVonne Pepe was a dedicated civil servant at HUD, where she was advocating for victims of gender-based violence. She was one of many controversially terminated, seemingly without just cause. Here she is … in her own words:
She Says the Mass Terminations Are Unlawful, Unjust and Are “…Jeopardizing lives and Essential protections for survivors.”
I’m usually pretty vocal. But I had been quiet—scared that my voice would put me at risk of losing my job.
It wasn’t my Blackness, Queerness, Disability, or history as a DEI practitioner. It was my short tenure…
Last Friday, along with thousands of other federal employees, I was fired from my position at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for being a probationary employee.
A lot of the language I’ve seen refers to these as mass layoffs. I want to be clear: These are not layoffs. They are illegal mass terminations deliberately framed as performance-based actions. Performance is one of the few ways probationary employees (who generally lack appeal rights to the Merit Systems Protection Board) can be fired.
A Reduction in Force (RIF) in the federal government isn’t like the private sector. It requires a formal process set by law and regulations. A RIF can’t be used to reduce staff or eliminate programs that Congress has funded. Congress [is supposed to] make those decisions.
So, when you hear people say federal employees are being “laid off”—correct them. Call your representatives and ask what they’re doing about this.
READ MORE FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNTS FROM CIVIL SERVANTS FIRED BY DOGE
What Was My Job?
I was the Senior Advisor on Gender-Based Violence serving as Acting Director.
Our team was small – just two – and our work mandated by statute in the 2022 Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
Victims and survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in covered federal housing programs have rights:
✅ Survivors can’t be evicted because of the violence they experienced.
✅ They have the right to confidentiality.
✅ They have the right to request the perpetrator be removed from the unit.
✅ They have the right to request an emergency transfer.
✅ They can’t be retaliated against for asserting their rights.
✅ They have the right to call emergency services.
These are profound —but systems must exist to enforce them. That was our job.
🔹 We coordinated the implementation of VAWA’s housing protections
🔹 We ensured that HUD’s appropriated funding for training reached Program Offices and housing providers.
🔹 We handled the bureaucratic but necessary work—like updating forms that hadn’t been revised in years.
HUD alone has over 10 housing programs covered under VAWA, and there are additional programs across Treasury, DOJ, USDA, and the VA.
As of last Friday, this work is now left to one (very wonderful and brilliant) Policy Advisor.
Why does this matter?
These mass terminations across the civil service are unlawful and unjust. Beyond stripping thousands of employees and their families of jobs and benefits, they disrupt critical services—jeopardizing lives and essential protections for survivors.
This is real harm.
How To Support Survivors During This Time
🔹Call your representatives and advocate for the continuation of funding and services for ALL survivors 🔹Support local DV/SA organizations.
Many community-based organizations are doing critical work on the ground with limited resources due to unstable federal funding. If you have the capacity, ask them how you can support and amplify their work.
