Today marks the deadline for federal employees to accept the Trump administration’s buyout program, which has seen more than 40,000 government workers voluntarily resign in exchange for extended pay and benefits. The buyout program, overseen by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), was made available to over two million federal employees, with exceptions for military, postal service, and national security personnel. The administration introduced the initiative as part of a broader effort to reduce the size of government.
The voluntary buyouts are part of a restructuring effort that has targeted various agencies, including the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency. Some agencies have already begun implementing hiring freezes and reviewing existing programs to determine if further workforce reductions will be necessary.
Public sector unions have opposed the buyout plan, filing lawsuits that claim the administration does not have the legal authority to offer severance pay without congressional approval. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has warned its members that Congress must approve a budget extension by mid-March to guarantee pay through September, raising uncertainty for those accepting the offer.
Union opposition has drawn criticism from those who argue that public sector unions should not be allowed to collectively bargain against taxpayers. Unlike private unions that negotiate with businesses, public unions negotiate directly with the government, which means they are demanding benefits and salaries funded by taxpayers. Some have called for an end to public unions altogether, arguing that government workers should not be able to pressure voters into increasing their compensation.
In addition to the buyout program, the Trump administration has implemented a hiring freeze and is evaluating agency operations for further restructuring. Some agencies have already ceased certain functions while awaiting recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been tasked with reviewing federal employment and spending.
The final count of employees who accepted the buyout offer is expected to be released in the coming days. As agencies process these departures, union lawsuits challenging the program are still making their way through the courts.
