Trump Offers Federal Workers Buyouts with Seven Months’ Pay to Shrink Government

Trump Offers Federal Workers Buyouts with Seven Months’ Pay to Shrink Government

The Trump administration announced on January 28, 2025, that it will offer buyouts to all federal employees willing to leave their jobs by February 6, 2025, in an unprecedented move to rapidly reduce the size of the U.S. government. The buyouts will provide workers with approximately seven months of salary.

A memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) also revealed that all federal employees will now be subjected to "enhanced standards of suitability and conduct," with a warning of further downsizing in the future. This move aligns with Trump’s longstanding political focus on disrupting Washington, as he promised to push for even more significant changes in his second administration.

While federal workers number over 3 million and make up the 15th largest workforce in the U.S., this buyout offer could have far-reaching consequences. Even if only a fraction of federal employees take up the offer, it could cause widespread disruptions to vital government functions, such as healthcare, loan processing, food safety inspections, and more. Experienced workers, from veterans’ affairs to military contractors, could leave, potentially leading to significant setbacks in service delivery.

Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees union, criticized the buyout offer, arguing that it is not a voluntary incentive but rather a tactic to force out employees who are not considered loyal to the new administration. He warned that this purge could lead to chaos, disrupting the functioning of the federal government, which many Americans rely on.

The OPM memo also outlines new mandates for federal employees, including the return to full-time, in-office work for most workers who have been remote since the pandemic. Furthermore, Trump’s administration insists on higher standards of performance and loyalty among federal employees, emphasizing that anyone engaging in unlawful behavior or misconduct will face investigation and possible termination.

Additionally, Trump has signed an executive order to eliminate the 2024 regulation under President Joe Biden that aimed to better protect federal workers from firings and reassignments. This order has quickly rolled back Biden-era protections, paving the way for further personnel changes within the federal workforce.

As this plan unfolds, it remains to be seen what long-term effects it will have on both the federal workforce and the functioning of government services across the nation.

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