The Trump administration has launched a controversial program offering federal employees the option of a “deferred resignation,” allowing them to receive full pay and benefits through September 30, 2025, in exchange for their agreement to resign. The administration estimates that 5% to 10% of the federal workforce may accept the offer, potentially saving $100 billion.
The program, announced via a mass email to federal workers, excludes members of the military, U.S. Postal Service employees, and those in immigration enforcement and national security roles. The email, with the subject line “Fork in the Road,” includes a pre-written resignation letter that employees can accept by replying with “resign.” The resignation window remains open until February 6.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the initiative, stating, “American taxpayers deserve employees who show up to work in our wonderful federal buildings.” The policy is widely seen as part of former President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape the federal workforce by reducing remote work and eliminating positions he deems unnecessary.
Critics argue the policy pressures employees into leaving their jobs under the guise of voluntariness. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), condemned the move, stating, “Purging the federal government of dedicated career civil servants will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government.”
The involvement of Elon Musk, who heads Trump’s newly created Department of Government Efficiency, remains unclear. However, the approach mirrors Musk’s previous restructuring at Twitter, now X, where employees were given a stark choice to commit to the company or leave.
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