'No transparency': Oklahoma's federal lawmakers mostly quiet amid federal layoffs

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Most of Oklahoma's federal lawmakers have kept public statements limited when it comes to addressing potential federal layoffs in the state this week.

News 4 has made efforts over the last several days to get answers from Oklahoma's delegation in Washington, D.C., after an online news article from Kansas this week claimed 600 civilian Tinker Air Force Base employees would be laid off.

Since that claim was made, at least one employee has told News 4 that they were told they'll be let go Friday.

The employee said they asked their supervisor about a memo they shared for confirmation. The memo says that in accordance with direction from the Office of Personnel Management, beginning February 28, 2025, all Department of Defense Components must terminate the employment of all individuals who are currently serving a probationary or trial period.

The memo notes that it doesn't apply for federal employees who: have been designated as mission-critical, non-appropriated fund employees, dual-status technicians, political appointees, appointments made under the Pathways program, or individuals who have opted into the Office of Personnel Management's Deferred Resignation Program.

A Tinker Air Force Base employee told News 4, on the condition of anonymity in fear of retaliation, they feel like there's been a lack of transparency surrounding the rumors as a whole.

"My expectations working for the government is transparency," said the employee.

News 4 has made attempts to get answers from the office of Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) but was told earlier this week to "stand by." News 4 has yet to receive a comment from Cole after multiple follow-ups throughout the week.

News 4 has received no response from the office of Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) either after multiple follow-ups as well.

"It's very disappointing," said the employee. "I mean, these are elected officials that we appointed into these jobs and we are getting no transparency whatsoever."

News 4 learned Monday that the office of Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) was "looking into the rumors."

On Thursday, after multiple follow ups, a spokesperson sent News 4 the following statement:

Senator Lankford and his staff remain in direct contact with leadership at the U.S. Air Force and at Tinker Air Force Base, specifically, to get facts and clarity about the situation facing some Tinker workers and their families.

Spokesperson for Sen. James Lankford

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) did share a reply on 'X' Monday saying the Department of Defense anticipated cutting 5,400 probationary civilian workers nationwide. The post didn't specify how many of those cuts could come from Tinker Air Force Base. News 4 received no response from Mullin's office Thursday either.

Governor Kevin Stitt shared during a news conference Wednesday he's had an easier time getting ahold of the federal delegation.

"We've talked to our federal delegation. We've tried to figure out and run these rumors down. As far as we know, at this point, they're just rumors," said Stitt.

Stitt said layoffs like these are "part of life," but if the rumors panned out, the State of Oklahoma would be ready to step up and help anyone impacted to find new opportunities.

Oklahoma House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson (D-Oklahoma City) told News 4 Thursday that Oklahomans deserve to hear updates on the situation from their elected federal leaders directly.

"Get some kind of statement or response out to the public, which is your job to do," said Munson.

Munson said she thinks voters will remember who spoke up and who didn't during future elections, otherwise.

"When the appropriate time comes, we have to hold those who have the most power to be speaking up and influencing the president accountable," said Munson.

A new wrinkle in potential concerns, NBC News is reporting a federal judge in San Francisco has ordered President Donald Trump's administration to cancel a memo for the mass federal employee firings, calling it illegal.

Attorneys for the government argue the employees can be fired at will.