Around 75,000 federal workers accepted President Donald Trump’s buyout offer before the program closed on Wednesday night. This decision came after a federal judge lifted a pause on the program, giving the green light for the buyouts to continue. The final number, confirmed by the Office of Personnel Management, represents about 3.3% of the federal government’s total workforce.
A lower turnout than expected
The number of buyouts accepted is below the White House’s initial expectations. The government had projected 5% to 10% of the workforce would take the deal. However, only a small fraction of employees decided to take the offer.
Judge lifts pause on program
Earlier on Wednesday, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled in favor of Trump’s buyout plan. The judge determined that the unions challenging the program did not have the standing to sue. This lifted the pause on the buyouts, allowing the Trump administration to move forward. Following the ruling, the buyout program closed to new applicants at 7 p.m. ET on the same day.
Trump’s buyout offer: The deal
Trump’s buyout offer was made available to nearly all federal employees. The deal promised employees eight months of pay and benefits through September in exchange for their immediate resignation. However, Democrats warned federal workers to be cautious, pointing out that federal funding is only guaranteed through March 14.
New rules for federal workers staying on
For employees who chose to stay, new requirements were introduced. Workers are now expected to return to in-person work and meet new performance standards. These standards include being “reliable, loyal, and trustworthy” as part of broader government reforms.
The buyouts are part of Trump’s push to cut federal spending and reform the bureaucracy. The initiative is linked to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. The goal is to streamline the government, reduce costs, and eliminate inefficiencies.
The Trump administration has indicated that further reductions in the workforce may follow. If not enough federal workers accept the buyouts, furloughs and layoffs could be on the way. On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order mandating plans for large-scale reductions in force across federal agencies. Layoffs began Wednesday at the General Services Administration, which manages the government’s real estate.
