The White House expects up to 10% of federal employees to leave their positions in September 2025, as part of a program aimed at ending remote work, senior administration officials told CBS News.
A government-wide email, drafted by aides to President Trump, was scheduled to be sent on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, informing federal employees that they have until February 6 to decide whether to participate in a “deferred resignation program.” The initiative allows employees to preemptively resign in September while continuing to receive full pay and benefits until then.
Details of the Deferred Resignation Program
“If you resign under this program, you will retain all pay and benefits regardless of your daily workload and will be exempted from all applicable in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025 (or earlier if you choose to accelerate your resignation for any reason),” the email states.
Currently, only about 6% of federal employees work full-time in the office, according to administration officials. With approximately 2 million federal employees nationwide, the program could potentially result in as many as 200,000 resignations.
Political and Policy Implications
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, discussed the initiative on CNN, stating:
“The 2 million employees in the federal government are overwhelmingly left of center. Because Mr. Trump was elected, it is essential for him to get control of government, establish a process for political appointees, and review discretionary spending grants.”
Federal employees at agencies such as the State Department and USAID reported receiving the email by approximately 6:40 p.m. ET.
Union Backlash and Concerns
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employee union, strongly condemned the initiative.
“Purging the federal government of dedicated career civil servants will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley.
“This offer should not be viewed as voluntary. Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration’s goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to.”
The program will not be available to personnel in the military, U.S. Postal Service, immigration enforcement, national security agencies, or any positions specifically excluded by their respective agencies, according to the email.
Return to Office and Workforce Reductions
Those who opt for deferred resignation will be exempt from return-to-office mandates but will continue working under their existing arrangements with full pay and benefits until their final resignation date.
The email outlines the administration’s planned workforce reforms, including:
- Mandatory full-time in-office work: “The substantial majority of federal employees” who have worked remotely since the pandemic “will be required to return to their physical offices five days a week.”
- Office consolidations and relocations: Plans for “meaningful consolidation” may result in office relocations affecting a number of federal workers.
- Downsizing through restructuring: While some agencies and military branches are expected to expand, “the majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized” through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force (RIFs).
- Potential furloughs and reclassifications: Some federal employees could face furloughs or reclassification as at-will workers.
Uncertainty for Remaining Federal Workers
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) addressed employees who wish to remain in their positions, stating:
“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 and will be afforded the protections in place for such positions.”
The personnel office also provided employees with an option to submit a deferred resignation form by simply replying to the email.
Employees participating in the program must agree to a “smooth transition” during their remaining tenure, the email states.
With the federal workforce facing significant restructuring, the administration’s approach is likely to fuel further debate over the future of government employment policies.
(CBS News)