SEATTLE — United States Congressmember Pramila Jayapal said she’s concerned about the consequences following the recent wave of layoffs in the federal workforce.

In an interview with KING 5 on Thursday, Jayapal discussed the federal layoffs, criticized the Trump administration’s plans and her efforts to protect the trans community.

Jayapal said people should expect to see their services and benefits cut including longer times waiting for Social Security checks, federal airspace won’t be as safe and national parks will be understaffed.

“There are direct consequences to people because of these cuts,” Jayapal said. “This is outrageous and cruel.”

Jayapal slammed Project 2025 and President Donald Trump’s plan to reshape the federal government.

“I don’t think people wanted to look at the fact that it was all his agenda, that is what he’s implementing,” Jayapal said. “But, more, the power grab and the constitutional crisis we’re teetering on, when an executive branch ignores congressional article I powers, ignores the judicial branch – that is how authoritarians grab power. I think there’s a real attempt to stifle dissent, to silent voices and again those are hallmarks of an authoritarian leader.”

The congress member said she’s seen gender-affirming surgeries rolled back since President Trump took office because of threats of losing federal funding. Jayapal said protecting the trans community is one of her priorities in office. 

“I’m very concerned,” Jayapal said. “This is a tiny, tiny population of people who are just trying to live their lives as they authentically are. And one person said to me, ‘I feel like I’m being exterminated.’ She used those words and I think that is how a lot of the trans community feels. They feel threatened. They are afraid and they’re seeing rollbacks even in places like in Seattle or New York where we thought we were all protecting (trans people).”