Estimated 20,000 Workers Have Accepted Trump’s Buyout Says Report

In a sweeping move to reshape the federal workforce, the Trump administration has offered a generous deferred resignation package—one that, as of now, has already been accepted by roughly 20,000 federal workers. This marks a significant step in Trump’s broader efforts to overhaul the federal bureaucracy, reassert in-person work requirements, and return hiring practices to a merit-based system.

The offer, first announced by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on January 28, provides eligible employees with full compensation and benefits—including retirement accruals—through their final resignation date. Workers who opt in must officially resign by February 6 but will continue receiving severance payments until September 30.

This move is part of a larger restructuring effort, which gained momentum after the administration took decisive action against the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), signaling broader changes ahead. “If you see what’s happening at USAID, it’s just one piece of the puzzle,” a Trump official told Axios, suggesting that this voluntary exit program is only the beginning of a major shift in government employment.

The Trump administration has made it clear that federal employment under its leadership will look very different from previous years. Telework policies, which became widely accepted during the pandemic, are being reversed in favor of a return to in-person work. Additionally, hiring and promotion practices are being re-centered on merit rather than diversity quotas or tenure-based advancement.

For those unwilling or unable to adapt to these changes, the deferred resignation offer provides a soft landing. Employees can secure financial stability while transitioning out of federal service, rather than facing the uncertainty of layoffs or policy shifts.

The offer is open to most federal employees, with some key exceptions. Military personnel, U.S. Postal Service employees, and those working in immigration enforcement, national security, or other protected roles are not eligible for the program. However, for the vast majority of the 2.3 million-strong federal workforce, the offer remains on the table.

Additionally, employees who had planned to retire between October 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, can still take advantage of the program. Their resignation date would be adjusted to align with their retirement, ensuring continuity in benefits.

This initiative signals the most aggressive federal workforce reform in decades. It is no secret that Trump has long viewed the federal bureaucracy as bloated and inefficient. Throughout his presidency, he has championed efforts to reduce waste, cut unnecessary positions, and streamline government operations.

The deferred resignation program provides an incentive for employees who may not align with these changes to voluntarily exit while securing financial stability. Meanwhile, it opens the door for a new era of federal hiring—one that prioritizes efficiency, accountability, and performance.

OPM’s statement also made it clear that employees should carefully consider the implications of staying, particularly in the event of a government shutdown. The agency warned that a shutdown could impact pay, whereas those who accept the resignation offer would still be entitled to back pay under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.