The Trump administration is hanging shopping in front of a disappointing federal workforce, hoping to lure a massive chunk of voluntary leaving as the president and his allies restructure their government.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and individual agencies “fired with emails providing “federal employees.”Resignation” Which of promise Employees will retain their full salary and benefits without working until September 30th. The offer, called “A Fork in the Road,” raised legal and logistical questions, including the fact that it was funded only by the government until mid-March.
Federal employees will need to accept offers until Thursday. As the deadline approached, the agency increased pressure on employees, frequently sending out “reminders” and copies of contracts that they had to sign to accept their postponed resignation.
This week, the demolition of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has raised antes of federal employees who have chosen to stay on the path of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting unit led by billionaire Elon Musk. .
President Trump appointed Musk as head Doge in Doge shortly after his victory in November. Vice President Vance responds to criticism that Americans did not vote for Musk. Post to X “But they voted for Donald Trump, who repeatedly promised Elon Musk to eradicate useless spending in our government.”
Here are five things you should look at before the deadline:
Thousands of federal workers shop
At least 20,000 federal employees have accepted the offer so far, White House officials said Tuesday.
That's about 1% of the 2 million federal employees. This is below the 5-10% target reportedly set by the White House, but acceptance rates are expected to check in ahead of the deadline.
The hill contacted OPM for updates.
The union representing federal employees urged them not to “be fooled” their offers as the deadline approached.
“There is no evidence yet that the administration will proceed along this one-sided, massive restructuring, or that appropriate funds can be used in this way. A government representing 800,000 federal employees Employee Federation (AFGE),I wrote it by email Become a member on Monday.
“We encourage AFGE members not to resign or respond to this email until you receive further information and clarification.”
Federal workers “try to keep the line”
As the buyout barrage continues, federal employees are primarily holding positions.
They flocked to the Reddit page R/FedNews, encouraging federal employees to “hold the line” and expressed anger at the administration's actions.
“Look on the line, your fellow fellow. The only thing that evil needs to flourish is that good people do nothing.” 1 user posted On Monday, he emphasized their vows to protect the Constitution from all enemies, and even enemies at the “internal” level.
Another federal employee doubled his refusal to buy it, calling it a “really hard cell.”
“I found it funny at first,” said an employee who was given anonymity to speak freely without fear of retaliation. “And as they kept sending more and more emails, we got mad… No, we're not resigning voluntarily. If you don't fire us It won't happen.”
Employees said the repeated influx of emails questioned whether it was a “sign of despair” from those offering shopping.
“It's comical at this point, except that some people accept it and believe that those promises will be kept,” they said.
When asked about the role of masks and doges in the chain of events, employees called it “anxiety.”
“I feel this is an attempt at a federal bureaucratic administrative coup,” they said.
Dangerous work for those who reject the offer
Federal employees accept offers may be afraid of their livelihood.
According to AFGE, the Trump administration threatened federal workers who were not offered to restructure and reduce the number.
If an employee resigns if it is delayed too much, the general supply and service assistant commissioner of the General Services Agency (GSA) in an email to the agency staff saying that a layoff is “highly likely” Written by ERV Koehler. Reported by the Washington Post on Tuesday.
Union will file a lawsuit
AFGE and other unions representing federal employees sued OPM on Tuesday seeking to block shopping. They characterized it as “arbitrary, illegal, shortened ultimatum that workers may not be able to enforce.”
AFGE National President Everett Kelly called the offer “a smooth story from unelected billionaires and their nuisances.”
“Despite the objection, this postponed resignation scheme is unfunded, illegal and there is no guarantee, Kelly said in a statement.
Sen. Tim Kane (D-Va.) represents much of the federal workforce concentrated in his state. I said from the Senate floor Last week, Doge had no power to direct government spending or to belong to Congress.
“There are no budget items to pay for those who don't appear for work,” Kane said. “Don't be fooled. He has deceived hundreds of people with the offer. If you accept the offer and resign, he will stiffen you, just as he has stiffened the contractor.”
OPM spokesman McLaurine Pinover said those who support the acquisition and are trying to discourage federal employees are causing “serious damages” to them.
“Union leaders and politicians have told federal workers to reject this offer. This is a rare and generous opportunity. It is intended to be thoroughly examined and supported by employees through restructuring. It was designed to be a “best of all things,” Pimber said in a statement Wednesday.
Shopping may cause “Chaos” and “Chaos” to be released
Neither the exact number nor details about who received offers from various agencies, nor how this will affect the day-to-day operations of the federal government.
But in addition to reconstructing the federal workforce, acquisitions can cost countless experience and expertise to federal agencies, including food inspectors, scientists, and disaster responders. .
Kelly warned that cutting large numbers of workers could cause “disruption” as the size of the federal workforce has not changed meaningfully since the 1970s.
“Deporting employees with dedicated federal careers will have vast and unintended consequences that will cause confusion for Americans who rely on a functioning federal government,” he said.
