Trump’s daring “buyout” plans to reduce the federal workforce – there is everything you need to know

Since the inauguration of his second term, President Donald Trump has established a Blitz decrees and new policies with an impact on federal workers. This week, the Trump administration launched an unprecedented program to “deferred” for federal employees.

This radical buyout program aims to quickly reduce the size of the federal government, providing employees compensation as an incentive to leave their posts, according to a note of the United States management office on Tuesday.

What does federal redemption imply?

This initiative allows eligible workers to voluntarily resign from their positions by February 6, 2025, while continuing to receive their full salary and their advantages until September 30, 2025.

The offer extends to the majority of 2.3 million federal works, to notable exceptions, in particular military staff, employees of American postal services and those of the application of immigration, national security roles or other positions excluded from the agency.

“If you choose to stay in your current position, we thank you for your renewed concentration on the service of the American people at best your capacities and we are delighted to work together in the context of an improved federal workforce” , the OPM proposal, the independent federal agency responsible for the management and supervision of human policies, practices and operations throughout the United States government.

However, the memo recognized that the agency could not provide absolute certainty or “complete insurance” on the continuous employment of employees or the stability of their specific organizational posts.

If they choose to withdraw from their posts, the communication provided the recipients with a pre-resignation letter for their examination. Employees interested in leaving their posts could either examine the model or simply respond with the only word “resign” to confirm their intention to withdraw from their role.

The administration believes that around 5% to 10% Federal employees can accept the buyout, which can economic taxpayers at $ 100 billion per year. However, this policy has aroused considerable controversy and debate on its implications.

Should federal workers take or leave it?

In a Frequently asked questions Page on the agency’s website, OPM wrote why civil servants may want to accept the buyout: “Federal workforce should undergo significant short-term changes. Due to these changes (or for other reasons), you may want to leave the federal government under conditions that offer you enough time and economic security to plan your future and have a great vacation. »»

However, federal labor representatives and law professionals advise government officials to reject Trump’s voluntary resignation proposal.

Max Alonzo, the national secretary-treasurer of the National Federation of Federal Employees, warned that the terms are unprecedented and potentially legally questionable, declaring: “Absolutely do not resign. I do not let you go. ABC News reported.

According to Alonzo, the offer is a deliberate attempt to dismantle federal workforce and break the “pillars of democracy”.

The initial note lacked clarity on the question of whether the employees who resign will continue to work by September 30 and should be held Back to the office. A confirmed OPM representative to NPR Tuesday, “that the wait was that the employees would be granted on paid administrative leave shortly after having answered the note.”

Is this a page of Elon Musk’s game book?

During his first day in power, Trump published a executive decree Offer the management office and the budget director to collaborate with the Ministry of Government and OPM efficiency to develop a strategy to reduce the federal workforce.

The electronic mail sent this week to government employees carries the object line “a fork on the road”, reflecting a billionaire of similar message technology and the chief of Doge Elon Musk sent to the Twitter staff (now x) after having took control of the platform, asking them to engage in his “extremely hardcore“Vision or leaving. This parallel extends beyond the object line, because Musk has shown in evidence a works of art He ordered with the same title on his X account.

Wednesday morning, Musk praised the federal buyout offer of employees as “Right and generous deal“Stressing that the eight -month dismissal package represents maximum compensation possible under current legislative constraints.