Federal workers choosing deferred resignations below White House goals
As of now, more than 20,000 federal employees in the U.S. have expressed thier willingness to resign under a deferred resignation offer put forth by the Trump management. This number accounts for about 1% of the total federal workforce. The U.S.Office of Personnel Management (OPM) communicated this initiative through an email sent to nearly 2.3 million federal workers, promising salary and benefits through September for those who announce their resignation intentions by an upcoming deadline.
However, the resignations reported fall short of anticipated targets, with administration officials aiming for as much as 5% to 10% of the federal workforce. As the February deadline approaches, it is expected that the number of accepted resignations may increase.
Despite these offers, concerns have been raised about the future of federal funding, with some congressional members reminding employees that budget allocations will expire by March 14, 2025. Democratic state attorneys general have also warned federal workers against accepting the buyout offer, arguing that it could be misleading, and they should rely on union guidance to safeguard their rights.
The situation has resulted in agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) contemplating possible layoffs, as they aim to drastically reduce their budget and staff. The GSA’s last major staff cut was during the Reagan administration, indicating that such actions are considerable and potentially disruptive to the federal workforce.
Number of federal employees opting for deferred resignations below White House’s goals
At least 20,000 federal employees have reportedly accepted the Trump administration’s deferred resignation offer, totaling about 1% of the federal workforce.
Last week, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management sent an email to nearly 2.3 million federal workers, offering pay and benefits through September if they announce their intention to resign by Thursday. Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, said he expects between 5% to 10% of federal employees to accept the Trump administration’s offer.
The number of federal employees who elect to resign is expected to rise before the Thursday deadline. OPM officials already said the number of 20,000 resignations is not up to date.
“The number of deferred resignations is rapidly growing,” an OPM official told the Washington Post. That person did not, however, give an updated number.
Members of Congress have reminded employees that federal funding is not guaranteed after March 14.
“It’s important you know that, right now, the federal government is only funded through March 14, 2025,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, wrote in an email. “At this point, there is no funding allocated to agencies to pay staff for this offer.”
Democratic state attorneys general are also advising federal employees not to take the Trump administration’s offer, calling it “misleading.”
“President Trump’s so-called buyout offers are nothing more than the latest attack on federal workers and the services they provide,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. “These supposed offers are not guaranteed. Federal employees should be cautious and follow the guidance of their unions to protect their rights.”
As Trump administration officials have yet to see the number of resignations they expected, agencies such as the General Services Administration, which employs 12,000 people nationwide, have suggested they may have to lay federal workers off.
Erv Koehler, assistant commissioner of general supplies and services at GSA, said the Trump administration is looking to downsize the agency’s budget by 50% and is asking it to provide a “bare minimum” of full-time staff they need to function.
“Please know that I empathize with the tough decisions you each are having to make,” Koehler reportedly wrote in an email to employees regarding the resignation offer. “Please focus on making the best decision for you and your particular situation.”
The federal government refers to layoffs as “Reduction in Force” — the last time the GSA did so was under former President Ronald Reagan’s administration when it cut 800 of its 11,500 positions.
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