Kaine urges federal workers to ignore Trump offer

By Kevin Bogardus | 01/29/2025 06:26 AM EST

The “deferred resignation” program is the White House’s latest push to shrink the federal workforce.

EPA workers.

People walking into EPA headquarters in Washington in 2019. Chip Somodevilla/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump is offering to pay out civil servants who don’t wish to remain part of his administration. One Democrat said it was a trick.

The Office of Personnel Management told federal workers in an email sent Tuesday that they would receive pay and benefits until later this year as long as they decide to part ways with the government by Thursday next week.

The president’s “deferred resignation” program is his latest push to reshape the federal workforce that has been roiled by his return-to-office mandate, hiring freeze and closing of diversity offices.

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Under the subject line “Fork in the Road,” the email asks employees to reply from their government account, typing the word “Resign” into the body.

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