Reported by Alexandra Alper and Courtney Rozen
In a significant move, around 154,000 federal workers have chosen to accept buyout offers from the Trump administration this year, as part of a larger initiative aimed at slimming down the federal workforce, a source revealed on Thursday.
This wave of resignations represents 6.7% of the civilian federal workforce, stemming from a program started back in January by billionaire Elon Musk, who previously advised President Donald Trump. This initiative was announced in an email titled “Fork in the Road” and impacted staff across various departments including Agriculture, Energy, and the Internal Revenue Service.
Following the initial round, similar offers were extended to employees at other agencies in subsequent months. Notably, the Washington Post was the first to report on the growing numbers opting for buyouts.
For those who accepted the buyout, the administration has committed to providing financial compensation for several months post-resignation, although it’s expected that all will no longer be on the federal payroll by year-end.
Don Moynihan, a professor at the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy, commented, “In normal times, a 6.7% turnover rate wouldn’t raise eyebrows within the federal government. However, we are not in normal times. Combined with the dismissal of probationary employees and numerous large-scale workforce reductions, this resignation program significantly impacts government capability.”
The White House and Office of Personnel Management did not reply to requests for comments immediately.
This year, the attrition rate for the U.S. government’s civilian workforce was recorded at 5.9%, or about 116,000 workers, according to Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit organization that tracks federal employee statistics.
Many employees opted into buyouts amidst plans by Trump and Musk to potentially eliminate their positions. Shortly after the initial buyout offers were made, the administration terminated tens of thousands of newly hired employees. Cabinet leaders have indicated there will be further cuts in the following months.
It’s important to note that the 154,000 workers who accepted buyout offers do not account for employees who were let go or who took part in other federal payroll reduction programs, such as early retirement incentives.
(Source: Reporting by Alexandra Alper and Courtney Rozen; Editing by Rod Nickel)
