In a move that has sent shockwaves through the federal workforce, the Trump administration on Tuesday extended a buyout offer to nearly all federal employees, excluding postal workers.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) dispatched an email to all workers, instructing them to either return to their offices or respond to the email with the word "resign." Those who opted for resignation would receive an eight-month severance package, with no further work obligations.
According to Hot Air, the reaction to this unexpected offer has been a blend of panic and disbelief. The panic appears to be rooted in the uncertainty of job security for those who choose to stay, given the looming threat of job cuts in the coming months as part of a Department of Energy (DOGE) initiative to downsize the government. As one Department of Justice (DOJ) employee anonymously told Politico, the buyout offer might be their last chance to leave on their own terms.
Chaos, mistrust, confusion, said one DOJ employee, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the situation without fear of retribution. Theres also a deep suspicion, especially among people who think they may be on the chopping block, that this is the last lifeboat in town.
The panic is palpable, as another DOJ employee noted, Its unfathomable, the panic that it is causing throughout the government. And it is intentional. The new head of OMB [Russ Vought, who has not yet been confirmed by the Senate] said he wanted to traumatize the federal civil servants into leaving and its working.
However, government unions swiftly mobilized, urging employees not to resign and casting doubt on the trustworthiness of the Trump administration. This narrative found a receptive audience among anti-Trump employees already contemplating departure.
Unions representing federal workers rallied on Wednesday, urging members not to accept the deal, which they denounced as a hasty and underhanded attempt to frighten workers into voluntary resignation. Steve Lenkart, executive director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, said that most members dont trust this administration to hold up their end of the bargain, and others dont see how this is legal.
The American Federation of Government Employees sent members an extensive FAQ about the OPM resignation program, cautioning that it should not [be taken] at face value.
A third employee echoed this sentiment, saying, Everyone else is like, I dont trust them. The email, they went on, doesnt seem real, theres no guidance. It seems like it will be challenged. So it comes down to: Are you really willing to go to the casino and put your career on black?
The Washington Post's personal finance reporter also advised against accepting the offer, arguing that it was designed to intimidate employees into resigning. The reporter described the offer as a "thuggish threat," suggesting that a more thoughtful examination of cuts would be a more humane approach to addressing concerns about bloated agencies.
However, this characterization of the offer as a "thuggish threat" hinges on the assumption that there is no real danger of job cuts. If a reduction in force is indeed imminent, then the offer could be seen as a realistic heads-up about what lies ahead. Yet, the unions and media seem more inclined to frame this as another opportunity to fuel resistance against the administration.
One Department of Labor (DOL) employee stated that they had no plans to opt into the resignation program, saying, Id rather be fired for resisting and making their lives hell. Another employee expressed a similar sentiment on Reddit, saying, But now I am fired up to make these goons as frustrated as possible, [return to office] be damned.
The Trump administration's move to reduce the size of government by offering an eight-month severance package to those willing to resign has been met with skepticism and resistance, fueled by the Democratic political machine. These individuals may come to regret their decision, as they could be turning down their last opportunity to leave with a safety net. However, it appears that the Democratic party operatives in the unions and media are more focused on stoking the flames of resistance than considering the potential outcomes for these employees.
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