Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.) expresses skepticism towards the Trump administration’s acquisition offers made to thousands of federal workers amid government reorganization efforts.
“I told people not to make the acquisition. I don’t trust the government. I didn’t expect to say that before,” MFume said at the rally.
The Trump administration has offered approximately 2 million federal workers a roughly six-month acquisition option, allowing employees to leave their positions while being paid until the end of September.
About 75,000 federal workers reportedly made the acquisition in mid-February.
President Trump’s Government Efficiency (DOGE) has directed agencies to reduce their workforce, leading to the need for more layoffs.
For example, the Home Office has offered acquisitions to some employees as a way to implement mass staff cuts.
Some agencies claim significant staff cuts are necessary, while others have laid off probation employees, causing confusion among federal workers in various sectors.
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration must reinstate probation employees who were illegally fired under an order from the Personnel Management Office.
Mfume told news reporter Nicholas Barash that he doesn’t believe federal workers who made the acquisition will be paid by the September 30 deadline.
“This comes from Elon Musk, so I really don’t trust it,” he said.
He also advised fellow Democrats to tell their members not to take the takeover and instead work with labor organizations to tackle reduction efforts.
“Our strength lies in our numbers,” he told Barashi.
