Trump’s Federal Buyout Program Attracts 75,000 Employees, Falls Short of Projections
President Donald Trump’s controversial buyout offer for federal employees has concluded, with an estimated 75,000 workers accepting the early retirement incentive. This represents approximately 3.3% of the federal government’s 2.3 million workforce, falling short of the White House’s initial projections of 5-10% participation.
The buyout program, dubbed "Fork in the Road," offered eight months of pay and benefits to federal employees who agreed to resign immediately. The program aimed to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy and cut spending.
Federal Judge Lifts Pause on Buyouts
The final tally of buyout acceptances came after a federal judge in Massachusetts lifted a temporary pause on the program earlier in the day. Unions representing federal employees had sued to stop the program, arguing that it lacked legal standing and was unfair to workers. However, the judge ruled that the unions did not have sufficient standing to bring the challenge and that his court lacked jurisdiction to hear their complaint.
Trump Administration Closes Program to New Applicants
Following the judge’s ruling, the Trump administration swiftly moved to close the buyout program to new applicants, effective 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday night. This deadline halted any further participation in the program, with the 75,000 acceptances standing as the final tally.
Criticism and Concerns
Democrats and federal employee unions have voiced concerns about the buyout program, warning that it could undermine the stability and effectiveness of the federal government. They have also expressed doubts about the administration’s ability to fund the buyouts beyond March 14, when the current government funding runs out.
New Performance Standards and Layoffs
Federal employees who chose not to accept the buyout will be required to return to in-person work and embrace new "performance standards." They will also be expected to demonstrate "reliability, loyalty, and trustworthiness" in their work. The Trump administration has indicated that layoffs and furloughs are likely if not enough employees depart through the buyout program.
Elon Musk’s Role in Federal Downsizing
The buyout program is part of billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which Trump has authorized to cut spending and reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy. Musk has been critical of government inefficiency and has advocated for downsizing.
Layoffs Commence at General Services Administration
On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order instructing federal agencies to prepare for "large-scale reductions in force." Layoffs have already commenced at the General Services Administration (GSA), the agency responsible for managing the federal government’s real estate portfolio.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s buyout program for federal employees has concluded with 75,000 acceptances, representing approximately 3.3% of the federal workforce. The program has been met with criticism and concerns from Democrats and federal employee unions. The Trump administration has indicated that layoffs and furloughs are likely if not enough employees depart through the buyout program. The long-term impact of the program on the federal government remains to be seen.
