Axios initially reported on Tuesday that close to 20,000 federal workers had accepted the offer, representing fewer than 1% of government personnel.
However, a White House official told The Post, “I can tell you the 20k number isn’t current, the number of deferred resignations is rapidly growing, and we’re expecting the largest spike 24 to 48 hours before the deadline.” The buyout is believed to apply to at least 2.3 million federal employees.
President Trump’s administration has taken a more aggressive approach to reducing the federal bureaucracy compared to his first term. If the administration achieves its goal of 5% to 10% of the workforce accepting the buyout, it could save taxpayers close to $100 billion. The federal attrition rate typically averages around 6% annually, though it remains unclear how many of those who accepted the buyout had already planned to leave their roles.
Tech magnate Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had hinted at the possibility of a buyout offer during the latter stages of the 2024 campaign and in its aftermath. Musk has been a vocal supporter of President Trump, even suggesting that Trump’s successes warrant a place on Mount Rushmore. In collaboration with Musk, Trump has focused on significantly restructuring the federal government to reduce its size and scope.
Critics have raised concerns about the legality of the buyout offers, arguing that Congress should have approved such a substantial reduction in the workforce. Public sector unions have also advised their members against accepting the offer.
The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal union, cautioned its members, stating, “Employees should not take the Program at face value. It is also unclear whether OPM [Office of Personnel Management] has the legal authority to support the Program or its alleged benefits, and the eligibility criteria are vague.”
