Trump Offers Buyout to All 2 Million Federal Workers

The News

On January 28, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a voluntary resignation program offering federal employees approximately eight months of salary if they choose to leave their positions by February 6.

This initiative aims to reduce the size of the federal workforce and is part of a broader effort to restructure government operations.

Timeline

• January 28, 2025: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sends an email to federal employees detailing the buyout offer and outlining new directives, including a mandate for most employees to return to physical offices five days a week.

• February 6, 2025: Deadline for federal employees to opt into the voluntary resignation program.

• September 30, 2025: Employees who accept the buyout will retain pay and benefits until this date and will be exempt from in-person work requirements until then.

Reactions

• American Federation of Government Employees: Union President Everett Kelley criticized the move, stating, "Purging the federal government of dedicated career federal employees will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government."

• White House Statement: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration's commitment to efficiency, stating that federal employees are expected to work in their offices and contribute to making America great again.

What’s Next

The administration has indicated that while some parts of the government's workforce may increase, the majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized.