Approximately 75,000 federal employees have opted for President Donald Trump's deferred resignation program following an offer by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to more than 2 million federal civilian employees in January. The program allows employees to accept buyouts and retain pay and benefits while being exempt from in-person work until September 30.
President Trump cited the need to downsize the federal government, pointing out underutilized office spaces and employees not reporting to work due to directives.
Despite facing scrutiny and legal challenges, the Trump administration's offer saw a significant uptake, with the number of employees accepting the program reaching 75,000 as of Thursday morning.
A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled in favor of the White House, stating that the plaintiffs challenging the offer lacked direct impact and standing. The administration hailed the court's decision as a legal victory.
In addition to the buyout program, the Trump administration signed an executive order instructing the Department of Government Efficiency to coordinate with federal agencies to reduce the federal workforce. The order aims to limit new hires and calls for significant reductions in force and evaluation of agency functions.
These initiatives are part of the administration's efforts to streamline the federal government and cut down on staffing numbers. The White House emphasized that these actions align with President Trump's priorities and have garnered support from millions of Americans.
