‘Significant number’: Already 20,000 federal workers walking away from government jobs
Already, some 20,000 federal workers have accepted President Donald Trump’s buyout offer for them to be paid through September, but leave their federal positions now and look for other work.
That’s despite alarm from federal employee unions and even some state officials.
Axios reported that an official in the Trump administration said the 20,000 workers are the ones who have accepted the offer … so far.
The deadline was set for Thursday for takers to line up to participate.
Axios pointed out, “It’s a significant number of people – about 1% of the federal workforce.”
The report noted the White House targeted 5% to 10% of the employees participating, but the deadline hasn’t been reached, and Trump very well could extend it, as he’s negotiated deadlines for multiple other projects he’s launched.
Employee unions have been raising alarms against the plan, as Trump is unlikely to allow the departing workers to be replaced, which could mean a lower number of workers in the unions, and paying union dues.
The administration official who spoke with Axios pointed out it’s just one piece of the puzzle, with Trump plans already for massive reductions in the USAID program, in the Office of Personnel Management, and many more.
“The buyout offer entitles federal employees to stop working more or less immediately and continue to be paid through Sept. 30,” the report said. The benefit comes from a short-term payout for a reduction in salary obligations for the federal government for years to come.
Critics claim there’s no guarantee of payment, and they assume Congress would need to approve the plan, but Trump and his advisers say they are just following through on their commitment to restructure the government in ways that benefit taxpayers.
Some of those accepting the offer might have been intending to retire, or leave, anyway, the report noted.
SHOCKING NUMBERS! About 20,000 federal workers have accepted the “buyout” offer put forward by the Trump administration last week as per Axios.
(Trump message for those leaving in the attached video) pic.twitter.com/5OIQuKHooa
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 4, 2025
Federal workers have until Thursday to take a buyout.
If you don’t have a passion for service, if you’re not ready and willing to work hard on behalf of the American people, you should take the 8 months of full pay and move on! pic.twitter.com/TDlH41cBlg
— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) February 3, 2025
Part of the program is that those workers who remain will be working in office, no longer being allowed to work from home.
NEW: President Trump shuts down reporter trying to push back on the federal worker buyout.
“No, they’re coming to work or they will be terminated.”
NOTHING is stopping the return of high standards for government employees.
Show up, or get out.
— Walter Curt (@WCdispatch_) January 30, 2025
Some on social media expressed their personal doubts.
Federal Gov’t Employee “Buyout” Program.
Source= Comment Section in 1/29/25 Washington Post Article.
“I work in federal employment law, and this is not, in my opinion, a value offer.” Read full comment for details. pic.twitter.com/64GHFFGe4X— TJHSST Defeating #DarkMoney (@TJHSSTParents) January 30, 2025
And Consumer Affairs said 11 leftist attorneys general, led by New York’s Letitia James, who orchestrated one of the Democrats’ lawfare assaults on Trump, now on appeal, said, “President Trump’s so-called buyout offers are nothing more than the latest attack on federal workers and the services they provide. These supposed offers are not guaranteed. Federal employees should be cautious and follow the guidance of their unions to protect their rights.”
She claimed, “Attacking our federal workforce will only cause more chaos and confusion for Americans, and will diminish the quality of services our government provides.”
Actually, millions of federal workers were offered the buyout program, as part of Trump’s plan to remove waste, fraud and inefficiency from the federal government.
The federal employees also were told that those who did not take the offer were not guaranteed to keep their jobs.
“The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employees union, released information for its members warning them that employees who accepted the offer were not guaranteed its benefits. The National Federation of Federal Employees similarly warned its members against accepting the offer,” the report said.