Trump offers federal workers eight-month severance in mass buyout plan

Trump offers federal workers eight-month severance in mass buyout plan

In a sweeping move to shrink and reform the federal government, President Donald Trump has offered buyout packages to nearly all federal employees, marking one of the most significant shake-ups in recent history. The plan, which could impact up to 200,000 workers, is aimed at cutting costs and restructuring government agencies.

An email sent on Tuesday from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) informed employees that they had until February 6 to decide whether they wanted to participate in the “deferred resignation” program. Those who opt in would leave their positions in September and receive eight months’ salary as severance.

According to White House officials, the administration expects around 10% of the federal workforce to accept the offer, a move that could save the government up to $100 billion. The plan excludes certain personnel, including postal workers, military members, immigration officials, and some national security staff.

The email emphasized the administration’s push for in-office work, requiring most employees to return to a five-day workweek, ending Covid-era remote work policies. Since Trump’s return to the White House, he has vowed to eliminate unnecessary government positions and enforce stricter workplace policies.

The email also warned remaining employees of potential downsizing in the future. While it assured workers that they would be treated with dignity if their positions were eliminated, it stopped short of offering long-term job security.

White House deputy chief of staff for policy, Stephen Miller, stated that the federal workforce leans overwhelmingly left-of-center, and that reducing its size was essential for the administration’s goals. The move is seen as part of Trump’s broader effort to exert more control over government agencies.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employee union, strongly condemned the buyout offer, calling it a “purging” process that would destabilize government operations and harm millions of Americans who rely on federal services.

The plan has sparked backlash from Democrats and legal experts, many of whom question Trump’s authority to unilaterally offer mass buyouts. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine warned federal employees against accepting the deal, suggesting that Trump might renege on payments. “He doesn’t have the authority to do this. Do not be fooled by this guy,” Kaine stated.

Trump’s push for government downsizing is being led by tech billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who were appointed to an advisory group focused on cutting regulations, spending, and headcounts. Ramaswamy has since left the group to run for governor of Ohio.

In both cases, employees were required to reply via email to confirm their decision. The buyout proposal comes amid legal battles over Trump’s executive actions. On Tuesday afternoon, a district judge temporarily blocked Trump’s sweeping order to pause federal grants, loans, and assistance programs, following concerns about how it might impact Social Security and Medicaid. The White House scrambled to reassure Americans that essential benefits would not be affected, though details remain unclear.

Meanwhile, Trump also signed a controversial executive order titled “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” which seeks to restrict gender-related medical treatments for individuals under 19 years old. The order states that the U.S. government will not fund, sponsor, or support gender transition procedures. Legal experts expect immediate challenges to the order, as the federal government’s ability to regulate such medical treatments remains in question.

As the Trump administration pushes forward with aggressive reforms, the future of federal employees, social programs, and government operations remains uncertain, with legal challenges and political resistance expected to shape the coming months.