Approximately 75,000 federal employees have embraced a voluntary separation program offered by the Trump administration, allowing them to retain their current salaries and benefits while remaining exempt from in-person work until September 30th. This initiative, part of a larger effort to streamline the federal government, was presented to over two million civilian employees in January as a 'fork in the road' choice: accept the buyout or return to the physical workplace.
President Trump has publicly stated his belief that the federal government is overstaffed, citing low office occupancy rates as evidence. While initial projections anticipated 200,000 employees taking the buyout, the current figure stands at 75,000, as confirmed by the White House.
This program allows federal employees to retain pay and benefits while remaining exempt from in-person work. (Fox News/Special Report)
The program's implementation encountered legal challenges from labor unions concerned about the administration's commitment to fulfilling the terms of the agreement. A federal judge initially halted the program, but later reversed the decision, ruling that the unions lacked the necessary legal standing to challenge the policy.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt lauded the court's decision as a victory for President Trump and his supporters, emphasizing that legal challenges wouldn't obstruct the administration's agenda.
Leavitt praised the court's decision as a victory. (Evan Vucci/The Associated Press)
Beyond the buyout program, President Trump has taken further steps to reduce the federal workforce. He recently signed an executive order directing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to collaborate with federal agencies and implement substantial staffing cuts. This order mandates a hiring freeze, limiting new hires to one for every four departing employees, and encourages agencies to develop plans for significant workforce reductions and evaluate the consolidation or elimination of non-essential functions.
