Trump’s offer to feds: Resign but don’t sue

By Hannah Northey, Kevin Bogardus | 02/04/2025 01:51 PM EST

Civil servants were asked to waive rights to legal or other efforts to seek recourse if they agree to the administration’s mass resignation scheme.

Donald Trump stands at a podium.

President Donald Trump is aiming to shrink the federal workforce. Pool photo by Chip Somodevilla

The Trump administration detailed legal guardrails to its mass resignation scheme as the pressure campaign continues on federal employees to voluntarily leave.

On Monday, staffers at energy and environmental agencies were among those who received templates for “deferred resignation” agreements, according to emails obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News. It’s the latest move in the Trump administration’s effort to shrink the civil service.

The agreement templates sent to agency staffers include provisions that would ensure workers don’t sue the government.

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“Employee forever waives, and will not pursue through any judicial, administrative, or other process, any action against EPA that is based on, arising from, or related to Employee’s employment at EPA or the deferred resignation offer, including any and all claims that were or could have been brought concerning said matters,” said the template included in the EPA email.

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