JUST IN: Trump Offers 2 Million Federal Workers 8 Months’ Pay To Quit—Critics Call It A “Fake Offer”

Donald Trump Offers 2 Million Federal Workers 8 Months’ Pay to Quit—Critics Call It a "Fake Offer"
Donald Trump Offers 2 Million Federal Workers 8 Months’ Pay to Quit—Critics Call It a “Fake Offer”
Trump Administration Offers 2 Million Federal Employees Eight Months’ Pay to Quit in Unprecedented Downsizing Effort—Unions and Lawmakers Push Back Amid Concerns Over Job Security and Government Functionality

In a bold and unprecedented move, the Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it is offering buyouts to nearly 2 million federal workers, encouraging them to resign as part of a sweeping plan to drastically reduce the size of the U.S. government. The initiative, dubbed the “deferred resignation program,” allows eligible workers to remain on the payroll through September 30 without having to work in person, while their duties may be reduced or eliminated entirely.

The Offer: Stay Paid, But Don’t Work


According to an email sent to federal employees and obtained by Reuters, the program gives workers until February 6 to decide whether to participate. Those interested must reply to the email with the word “resign.” The offer applies to civilian employees across most agencies, excluding those in immigration, national security, and the U.S. Postal Service.

The email emphasized that the administration aims to create a “more streamlined and flexible workforce,” warning employees that their positions may not be guaranteed in the future.

“At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency,”

the email stated, adding that those whose jobs are eliminated will be “treated with dignity.”

A Controversial Plan to Shrink Government


The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader agenda to reshape the federal government to reflect his political priorities. Since taking office, Trump has issued executive orders to restructure agencies, freeze federal hiring, and compel workers to return to offices. The administration has also sought to reclassify thousands of federal employees to “at-will status,” making it easier to fire them without prior notice or justification.

However, the plan has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and federal employee unions. Senator Tim Kaine called the offer “fake,” arguing that Trump lacks the authority to make such promises and that employees may not receive the payouts they were promised. The National Treasury Employees Union, representing 150,000 federal workers, warned members that the email is “designed to entice or scare you into resigning” and urged them not to respond hastily.

Potential Impact: Savings Or Service Disruptions


It remains unclear how many employees will accept the offer or what the long-term impact will be on government operations and costs. A senior administration official estimated that 5%-10% of the federal workforce could quit, potentially saving $100 billion. However, Reuters could not verify this figure.

Elon Musk, the billionaire tasked by Trump to oversee government cost-cutting efforts, initially aimed to slash $2 trillion from the $6.8 trillion federal budget. While Musk has since acknowledged that a smaller amount is more realistic, the administration’s push to downsize continues to spark debate.

Unions Fight Back

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has condemned the efforts
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has condemned the efforts


Federal workers, many of whom are represented by unions, enjoy significant employment protections. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has condemned the administration’s efforts, accusing it of creating a “toxic environment” for workers. AFGE President Everett Kelley urged employees not to make rash decisions, stating,

“Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration’s goal is to turn the federal government into a place where workers cannot stay even if they want to.”

The American Federation of Government Employees protests
The American Federation of Government Employees protests

What’s Next for Federal Workers?


The White House Office of Personnel Management provided additional details, stating that employees who participate in the program will have their duties reassigned or eliminated and will be placed on paid administrative leave until the end of the deferred resignation period. Participants are free to take other jobs while continuing to accrue retirement benefits through September 30. Agencies also have the discretion to exempt certain positions from the offer.

As the February 6 deadline approaches, the Trump administration’s unprecedented move has left federal employees at a crossroads. With the future of their jobs uncertain, many are weighing their options amid growing concerns about the stability and morale of the federal workforce.

The Bigger Picture: A Fork in the Road


The unsigned memo, sent from a newly created email address ([email protected]), was titled “Fork in the Road”—a phrase reminiscent of Elon Musk’s 2022 email to Twitter employees during his takeover of the social media platform. The title underscores the high-stakes decision facing federal workers as the Trump administration pushes forward with its ambitious—and controversial—plan to reshape the U.S. government.

The White House has yet to respond to requests for comment on the program’s implications or the criticism it has sparked.


Copyright 2024 REPORT AFRIQUE (RA). Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.reportafrique.com and other relevant sources.This Article is Fact-Checked. See Policy.
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