154,000 Federal Workers Take Buyouts Under Trump Plan to Shrink Government

 154,000 Federal Workers Take Buyouts Under Trump Plan to Shrink Government

In a significant shift within the federal government, approximately 154,000 federal employees have accepted buyout offers launched by the Trump administration earlier this year. The buyout initiative, which began in January and was led by Elon Musk a former adviser to Donald Trump aims to downsize the federal workforce. The effort kicked off with an email titled "Fork in the Road" and has reached across key departments, including Agriculture, Energy, and the Internal Revenue Service.

This mass resignation represents around 6.7% of the civilian federal workforce. Employees who opted into the buyout received compensation for several months after leaving but are expected to be fully off the payroll by year’s end. According to the source, similar offers were rolled out at various federal agencies in the following months to encourage additional staff reductions.

This workforce reduction comes amid a broader restructuring campaign involving not only voluntary departures but also the termination of many newer and probationary employees. These measures are intended to streamline operations and cut government spending, but have raised alarms about their long-term impact on federal services.

Experts say the scale of these departures is unusual given the timing and coordination of the program. While a 6.7% turnover may not seem abnormal in regular conditions, scholars like Professor Don Moynihan of the University of Michigan argue that this scale of attrition, combined with other cuts, could significantly reduce government capacity and effectiveness. Meanwhile, the White House and Office of Personnel Management have not publicly commented on the scope or implications of the buyouts.

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The Trump administration’s buyout program is part of a wider strategy to cut down the size and cost of the federal government. Sources indicate the plan was designed with future layoffs in mind. Just days after the initial buyout window closed, the administration began firing tens of thousands of probationary employees, accelerating the federal downsizing effort.

These actions are not limited to buyouts alone. Other measures include early retirement incentives and plans by agency heads to further trim staff in the months ahead. Cabinet secretaries have reportedly been given targets to reduce headcounts, with expectations of more substantial cuts soon.

This year’s attrition far exceeds that of 2023, when about 116,000 federal workers left their positions a 5.9% turnover rate, according to figures from the Partnership for Public Service. The 2024 figure of 154,000 buyouts does not even account for additional layoffs and early retirements, which suggests that the true reduction in personnel is even higher.

While the administration claims the move will lead to a more efficient and cost-effective federal workforce, critics warn of lasting damage. Programs reliant on a steady stream of federal workers could suffer delays or loss of functionality. Public service delivery especially in areas like tax collection, food safety, and energy oversight may be weakened by the departure of experienced staff.

Don Moynihan, a professor at the University of Michigan, emphasized that these are not "normal times" for government employment. He argues that combining buyouts with firings and forced early retirements strips federal institutions of critical knowledge and capacity. The long-term consequences of such a rapid and massive downsizing, critics say, could be felt for years to come.

No formal response has yet come from the White House or the Office of Personnel Management.