Deal or no deal? Trump’s resignation offer flusters feds.

By Kevin Bogardus | 01/30/2025 01:40 PM EST

The new administration’s bombshell proposal for mass resignations comes among other tumultuous actions targeting the civil service.

Federal workers at an AFGE protest.

Federal workers affiliated with the American Federation of Government Employees hold a silent protest on Capitol Hill on Feb. 11, 2020. Civil servants face an unprecedented resignation plan from the Trump administration. Francis Chung/POLITICO

Federal employees are being pushed to and fro by their agencies, lawmakers and unions over whether to accept President Donald Trump’s push to leave their posts.

The Office of Personnel Management, in a stunning governmentwide email Tuesday night, offered civil servants the chance to go on paid leave until Sept. 30 if they decide to resign by Feb. 6. It could be an enticing offer for some in the federal workforce, which has already been shaken by a funding pause, hiring freeze and layoffs of colleagues in diversity programs.

An EPA employee granted anonymity to speak freely during a stressful time for the civil service said the offer appears “very appealing,” considering those who resign will be exempt from return-to-office requirements.

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But the email has “underlying threats,” such as Trump may fire them anyway, abolish their job, shut down their agency or force them to move to a distant land.

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