The Trump administration’s federal buyout program reaches its deadline today, with more than 40,000 government employees accepting the offer to resign in exchange for eight months of pay and benefits. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) extended the offer to more than two million federal employees, with exemptions for national security, postal, and military personnel. The administration framed the buyout program as a necessary step in cutting down the size of the federal workforce.
The voluntary resignations have impacted multiple agencies, including the Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Some agencies are expected to implement hiring freezes, while others will undergo restructuring efforts following the departures. The administration has indicated that further workforce reductions may still take place beyond the buyouts.
Public sector unions have attempted to block the buyout program through lawsuits, arguing that the administration lacks the legal authority to issue severance payments beyond March without congressional approval. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has advised members that Congress must pass a budget extension to guarantee pay through September, raising concerns among employees about the stability of the agreement.
Opponents of public sector unions argue that these organizations are less concerned with workers’ rights and more focused on preserving their influence. Unlike private unions, which negotiate with businesses, public sector unions bargain with the government using taxpayer funds. Some critics argue that federal employees should not be allowed to use collective bargaining to demand more from voters than what was originally agreed upon when they took their positions.
While the buyout deadline has passed, the Trump administration has also introduced a hiring freeze and taken steps to restructure several agencies. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has been tasked with identifying ways to streamline government operations and cut unnecessary spending. Some agencies have already suspended certain programs while awaiting further directives.
With the deadline now reached, agencies will process the final round of resignations, with reports indicating that the total number of buyout acceptances may rise slightly. The administration has not ruled out additional workforce reductions, and legal challenges from public sector unions are still pending.
