To Gabe D鈥橝latri, America was the land of endless opportunity.
A first-generation immigrant, D鈥橝latri felt the call to serve this nation and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2015.
In 2018, he was medically discharged after an injury on base. D鈥橝latri then attended the University of 黑料吃瓜网 and graduated in 2022, hoping to become a physician鈥檚 assistant.
He was recruited by the federal government for a role at the IRS in Hartford and hired in February 2024.
On Feb. 20, only five days before his one-year probationary period ended, D鈥橝latri was fired despite his protected veteran status and above-satisfactory job performance.
He鈥檚 among an estimated 6,000 veterans across the country who have been fired as a result of federal worker layoffs ordered by the Trump administration.
鈥淚 have a wife and a child now and they鈥檙e relying on me,鈥� said D鈥橝latri, 30, referring to his seven-month-old daughter who his wife takes care of in their Vernon home. He continues to search for a job.
The Trump administration鈥檚 shakeup of the federal government is sending shockwaves throughout 黑料吃瓜网, from federal workers to nonprofits to elected officials. Recent job cuts from the newly-formed Department of Government Efficiency, alongside federal funding freezes, which have been challenged and struck down in federal courts, have left residents, community organizations and local government leaders uneasy about the future.
In southeastern 黑料吃瓜网, New London Mayor Michael Passero says although the administration鈥檚 federal funding freezes and layoffs have yet to impact the city, he鈥檚 concerned about future cuts to federal grants provided to develop and maintain New London鈥檚 economy.
He expressed particular unease for New London Public Schools, which receive Title I funding to help students from low-income families. That鈥檚 as the U.S. Education Department, which administers Title I funds, plans to cut its workforce in half.
鈥淲ith the chaos in Washington, nobody feels secure,鈥� Passero said.
Submarines, a dominant fixture of New London鈥檚 and neighboring Groton鈥檚 economies, will remain safe from cuts. Spending on Virginia-class submarines will continue to be prioritized, despite a proposal from the Pentagon to , or 8% of its overall budget over the next five years.
Farmers rely on funds
When it comes to the region鈥檚 farmland, funding freezes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are affecting farmers relying on grants to remain operational.
Roughly $4.2 million of Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds, intended for rural small businesses and farmers, has not been distributed in 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 2nd Congressional District, the most out of any district in the state, according to a February report from Democratic members of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Nearly $1.9 million of funding for rural energy for 黑料吃瓜网 farmers in the 2nd District has not been delivered either, according to the House report.
U.S. Representative Joe Courtney, who represents the 2nd District in eastern 黑料吃瓜网, says many farmers who have contacted his office have yet to receive funds, significantly affecting their ability to operate efficiently.
鈥淭he farmers who applied for these programs were doing so relying on the fact that the government would keep its promise,鈥� Courtney said. 鈥淵ou have farms that are not only not getting their money, but are in the red.鈥�
'Our patients are incredibly nervous'
Nonprofits in eastern 黑料吃瓜网 are also feeling the effects.
The United Community & Family Services has five health services clinics throughout southeastern 黑料吃瓜网 and relies on $4 million in federal grants. Last month, the organization saw a seven-day delay in grant funds that help cover payroll.
Around 60% of its patients are on Medicaid and any disruptions in funding or rapid policy changes threaten the organization鈥檚 operations, according to Jennifer Granger, the agency鈥檚 president and CEO.
鈥淥ur patients are incredibly nervous,鈥� Granger said. 鈥淲e feel like we鈥檙e fighting a battle and we鈥檙e fighting it on all fronts.鈥�
The clinic serves a large sect of immigrant residents, as well as patients who identify as part of the LGBTQ community. Granger says both the organization and its patients are growing concerned about federal policies targeting these communities. Due to the UCFS鈥� reliance on federal funds, the organization must comply with the administration鈥檚 guidelines.
An executive order that called for pulling funding from organizations that provide gender-affirming care for transgender youth was blocked by a federal judge in February and .
Being pushed aside 'hurts'
As federal cutbacks continue to generate headlines, Americans are souring on the approach. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found that about 60 percent of respondents did not approve of how Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency are dealing with federal workers.
While D鈥橝latri says he supports every president elected, it鈥檚 been difficult seeing fellow Americans and the Trump administration cheerful about firing federal workers, .
鈥淵ou see this hate for federal employees and I think it鈥檚 terrible,鈥� D鈥橝latri said. 鈥淲e shouldn鈥檛 be going after each other.鈥�
D鈥橝latri plans to appeal his firing, but in the meantime seeks to secure employment to continue providing for his family. He feels that the nation he and other veterans swore to protect and serve doesn鈥檛 have their backs.
鈥淢y body will never be the same,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e served our country 鈥� and to be pushed to the side really hurts.鈥�
Correction: About 60% of United Community & Family Services' patients are on Medicaid. An earlier version of this story said they are on Medicare.
