Trump offers federal workers money to quit jobs


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President Trump’s administration took decisive action Tuesday to streamline the federal workforce, extending buyout offers to millions of government employees in a strategic move aimed at reducing bureaucratic overhead and generating substantial taxpayer savings.

A memo titled “Fork in the Road” from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management presented federal workers with two distinct paths: maintain their current roles under enhanced requirements including mandatory in-person office attendance, or accept a voluntary departure package with continued benefits through September 2025.

The OPM communication noted, “The federal workforce is expected to undergo significant near-term changes. As a result of these changes (or for other reasons), you may wish to depart the federal government on terms that provide you with sufficient time and economic security to plan for your future — and have a nice vacation.”

Employees choosing to depart need only respond to the email with the word “Resign” to initiate the process. The arrangement requires departing staff to assist with transition procedures at their respective agencies.

The voluntary separation program, open until February 6, excludes military personnel, postal workers, and those in immigration enforcement and national security positions. According to a senior Trump administration official, the initiative could see 5-10% of federal employees departing, potentially yielding $100 billion in savings.

The effort aligns with Trump’s broader strategy, including his reinstatement of Schedule F classification, which facilitates the removal of approximately 50,000 federal workers deemed unproductive or resistant to policy implementation.

“I will wield that power very aggressively,” Trump declared in a March 2023 video. “We will clean out all of the corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus, and there are plenty of them.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the initiative, stating, “If they don’t want to work in the office and contribute to making America great again, then they are free to choose a different line of work, and the Trump administration will provide a very generous payout of eight months.”

The proposal faced criticism from union leadership, with AFGE President Everett Kelley arguing that removing career civil servants would disrupt government operations and impact public services. He characterized recent administrative actions as creating an inhospitable workplace environment.

Leavitt countered these concerns during a Wednesday press briefing in Washington, citing statistics showing minimal office attendance among federal workers in the capital, comparing their absence unfavorably to frontline workers nationwide.

Industry observers noted similarities between this initiative and Elon Musk’s 2022 Twitter workforce reduction strategy, including identical “Fork in the Road” subject lines in their respective communications to employees.

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