Trump Gives Federal Workers a Choice: Quit With 8 Months’ Pay or Stay Uncertain About Your Job

The Trump administration is offering a sweeping buyout plan to federal employees, giving them the option to resign with an 8-month severance package as part of an effort to reduce the government workforce. Officials estimate that 5-10% of federal employees—potentially tens of thousands—may take the offer, which they claim could lead to $100 billion in savings.“

American taxpayers pay for the salaries of federal government employees, and therefore deserve employees working on their behalf who actually show up to work,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“If they don’t want to work in the office and contribute to making America great again, then they are free to choose a different line of work, and the Trump Administration will provide a very generous payout of 8 months.”

The resignation offer will be sent via email to all federal workers using a newly established system that allows officials to contact the entire workforce at once. The email will include a draft resignation letter, and employees who wish to accept the severance package can simply reply with the word “resign.”

The resignation period will run from Tuesday through February 6. The email also includes a message for those who choose to stay, stating: “If you choose to remain in your current position, we thank you for your renewed focus on serving the American people. At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency, but should your position be eliminated, you will be treated with dignity.”