Department leaders have declined to provide more information on recent layoffs amid rumors of looming additional staff cuts.
Department leaders promised the dismissals will not hurt veterans' benefits or medical care and will save almost $100 million annually.
VA Secretary Doug Collins will lead the Office of Government Ethics and the Office of Special Counsel until new directors are named.
The visit between Hegseth and the defense minister of Australia comes during a moment of uncertainty for U.S. allies.
