Are you impacted by Trump and DOGE federal cuts in SLO County? We want to hear from you

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump’s administration has swiftly reshaped the federal government — tightening immigration enforcement, slashing grants and federal funding contracts and cutting diversity initiatives — leaving federal workers, nonprofit organizations and everyday Americans scrambling to keep up.

At the direction of unelected presidential advisor Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency — an unofficial federal agency acting without congressional approval — has laid off or fired thousands of federal workers across the country in a sweeping effort to reduce government spending.

The legality of some of these decisions are still being debated in courts — but how have these changes impacted San Luis Obispo County?

The Tribune wants to hear directly from you about how federal downsizing, budget cuts or other decisions by the Trump Administration and DOGE have affected your personal life, your job or your organization in SLO County.

Lost your job at a federal agency? Facing challenges receiving medical care at a Veterans hospital? Had a bad experience at Los Padres National Forest, Carrizo Plain National Monument or the Piedras Blancas Light Station because of a lack of staff?

Get in touch with our reporters so we can tell your story.

You can fill out the form below, or contact reporter Chloe Shrager directly at cshrager@thetribunenews.com or 805-781-7809.

At The Tribune, we understand that some people aren’t authorized to speak to the press or fear retaliation for doing so. If this is the case, please feel free to contact us through an encrypted messaging platform like Signal.

However you choose to reach out, we assure you what you share with us will be kept confidential and not published without your consent. We will not share your name or details without your permission. Before any interview, we can decide the conditions of our conversation to ensure your safety and comfort. And if you request to share information confidentially, we will protect your identity.

We adhere to the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics.

Here are some stories about the Trump Administration’s federal downsizing The Tribune has published since the inauguration:

• SLO County nonprofits prepare for the worst under Trump federal funding freeze

• Cal Poly researchers worry about losing funding in ‘devastating’ Trump administration cuts

• ‘This is a slaughter’: How Los Padres forest biologist lost his job amid Trump purge

• Central Coast biologist fired by Trump confronts Musk at address to Congress. ‘Am I waste?’

• Latest victim of federal cuts? $5 million in Cal Poly grants supporting SLO County teachers

Chloe Shrager

The Tribune

(805) 781-7809

Chloe Shrager is the courts and crimes reporter for The Tribune. She grew up in Palo Alto, California, and graduated from Stanford with a B.A. in Political Science. When not writing, she enjoys surfing, backpacking, skiing and hanging out with her cat, Billy Goat.