The Trump administration’s federal buyout program reaches its final deadline today, with over 40,000 federal employees opting to resign in exchange for eight months of pay and benefits. The program, introduced in January by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), was open to more than two million federal employees, excluding military personnel, postal workers, and those in national security roles. The administration framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to reduce the size of government and restructure agencies.
Federal departments affected by the resignations include the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Education, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Many of these agencies are also facing hiring freezes, with further changes expected in the coming weeks. Though the administration had initially hoped to cut between 5% and 10% of the federal workforce, the final number of buyouts accepted remains below that goal.
Public sector unions have aggressively fought against the buyout program, filing lawsuits challenging the administration’s authority to offer extended severance pay without congressional approval. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other unions have warned employees that funding for the buyouts past March depends on congressional action, leaving uncertainty over whether payments will continue as promised.
Critics of these unions argue that their primary concern is not protecting workers but maintaining their own financial influence. Unlike private sector unions that negotiate with businesses, public unions bargain against taxpayers, demanding increased salaries and benefits without voter approval. Those who oppose public unions argue that federal employees should not be able to use collective bargaining to push for more than what was originally agreed upon when they accepted their positions.
In addition to the buyouts, the Trump administration has implemented a hiring freeze and begun reviewing agency structures to determine where further cuts may be necessary. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has been tasked with identifying areas for reductions, with some government programs already placed under review.
With the deadline now reached, agencies will process the final resignations while ongoing lawsuits from public sector unions continue. The final number of employees leaving is expected to be confirmed in the coming days.
