A significant exodus is underway at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with at least 15,000 employees opting to resign under an initiative introduced by President Trump's administration, as reported by POLITICO.
This move comes amid strategic job cuts within the department, reflecting a broader effort to streamline operations.
According to the Daily Caller, the USDA's deferred resignation program, first launched in January, saw 3,877 employees accepting the offer. A subsequent wave resulted in 11,305 more employees agreeing to the terms, with the possibility of additional resignations on the horizon. This initiative permits employees to resign while continuing to receive their salaries until September, impacting approximately 15% of the USDA's workforce.
The USDA plays a pivotal role in overseeing food safety, farm loans, rural broadband initiatives, and federal nutrition programs. Seth Christensen, a spokesperson for the USDA, confirmed the resignation figures to POLITICO, stating, "President Biden and [former] Secretary [Tom] Vilsack left USDA in complete disarray, including hiring thousands of employees with no sustainable way to pay them." He further emphasized that Secretary Brooke Rollins is committed to enhancing the department's efficiency and effectiveness, particularly in serving farmers, ranchers, and producers, without compromising its essential functions.
The U.S. Forest Service is experiencing the highest number of resignations, with over 4,000 employees departing as part of the administration's budget reduction plans. Additionally, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which plays a crucial role in managing the bird flu outbreak and conducting meat inspections, has seen 555 employees leave.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service, responsible for assisting farmers with livestock and soil management, lost over 2,400 employees, while the Farm Service Agency and county offices witnessed the departure of 1,000 staffers.
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