Trump proposes buyouts to downsize federal workforce
The Donald Trump administration has announced its intention to propose financial benefits for 2 million full-time federal employees. The goal of this initiative is to reduce employment within the administration, reports Reuters.
Reuters acquired details meant for federal employees, revealing that the deferred resignation program would enable them to remain on the payroll until September 30 without the obligation to be physically present at work, according to the agency.
According to Reuters, federal employees have until February 5 to make a decision. The offer is available to civilian employees, excluding those in immigration and national security positions and those working for the U.S. Postal Service.
NBC News quoted a senior administration official who estimated that 5-10% of federal employees might leave, potentially leading to $100 billion in savings. However, Reuters has not verified this information.
Office employees sent on paid leave
On platform X, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump had suspended federal government employees working in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program offices and placed them on paid administrative leave.
This confirmed reports from the federal Office of Personnel Management, which requested notifications be sent to all employees in the DEI offices that they have been immediately placed on paid administrative leave.
After taking office, Trump issued an executive order prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. According to AFP, a message posted on X on Tuesday stated that the administration was moving forward with shutting down all DEI initiatives, offices, and programs.
According to Reuters, civil rights advocates argue that such programs are essential for addressing longstanding inequalities and structural racism. Meanwhile, Trump and his supporters say that DEI programs lead to unfair discrimination against other Americans and undermine the value of merit in hiring or promotion decisions.
