Trump Administration Offers “Deferred Resignation” to Federal Workers: What You Need to Know
In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration has rolled out a new initiative offering federal workers the opportunity to take a “deferred resignation”. This offer allows employees to voluntarily resign but still receive their pay through September. The administration hopes this will result in 5%-10% of federal workers choosing to leave, which could save the government approximately $100 billion.
This offer is available to all full-time federal employees, except for certain positions such as those in the military, U.S. Postal Service, and immigration enforcement and national security roles.
Why Is the Trump Administration Offering This Program?
The program has sparked significant debate. According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, taxpayers deserve employees who show up to work in government offices, which are also funded by taxpayers. Leavitt stated, “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.” Employees opting to resign under this program will receive a generous payout of 8 months’ worth of salary.
How Does the Deferred Resignation Offer Work?
The offer was sent to all eligible federal workers through a newly-established system, enabling the administration to email all employees at once. The email contains a draft resignation letter for employees to review, and if they wish to resign, they only need to reply with the word “resign.”
The resignation period runs from Tuesday to February 6, giving workers a short window to decide whether to opt in. The email further reassures employees that if they choose to remain in their current roles, their focus on serving the American people will be appreciated, and their positions will be respected.
Employees who choose to resign under the program will retain all pay and benefits and will be exempt from in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025, or until they choose to accelerate their resignation.
Criticism of the Program
The announcement has not been without controversy. AFGE National President Everett Kelley has strongly condemned the offer, arguing that this “deferred resignation” should not be seen as a voluntary choice. He pointed out that civil servant numbers have remained largely unchanged since the 1970s, while the number of Americans relying on government services has increased.
Kelley expressed concern that eliminating experienced and dedicated federal workers could cause long-term chaos for American citizens who depend on government services. He also suggested that the administration’s overall strategy is to create a toxic environment for federal workers, making it harder for them to stay in their jobs.
Comparisons to Elon Musk’s Move at Twitter
The Trump administration’s offer has drawn comparisons to a similar strategy employed by Elon Musk after he took over Twitter (now X). Musk sent a similar email to employees, urging them to opt in if they wished to remain at the company, with the subject line “Fork in the Road”.
Interestingly, the Trump administration’s email to federal workers also carries the same “Fork in the Road” subject line, sparking further speculation about the influence Musk may have had on this initiative. Musk, now leading the Department of Government Efficiency, has not confirmed his involvement in the federal program, but his “A Fork in the Road” post on X has drawn attention to the shared theme.
What Happens Next?
As the deadline for employees to decide approaches, many are left wondering how this bold initiative will impact the federal workforce. While it’s framed as an opportunity for workers to leave voluntarily, the implications could be far-reaching for the nation’s essential government services. As the resignation period draws closer, all eyes are on how many employees choose to accept the offer and what it means for the future of the federal workforce.
