Over 100,000 federal employees are set to resign under the Trump administration’s ambitious deferred resignation program. This mass exodus signifies a pivotal moment aimed at draining the swamp and imposing stricter presidential control over a vast and often criticized federal bureaucracy.
According to reports from the New York Post, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has issued guidance to prepare for expected waves of resignations. Should Congress fail to finalize full appropriations, agencies are being instructed to craft Separation and Reduction in Force (RIF) plans targeting what are considered nonessential positions. A notable memo, titled “Fork in the Road,” was sent to all federal civil servants earlier this year, extending the option for voluntary resignation with the promise of continued salary and benefits until September, provided employees comply with the stipulations of the program. By mid-February, an estimated 75,000 federal employees had already opted for this deferred resignation agreement.
As of this Tuesday, observers anticipate that over 100,000 additional workers—the largest single-day decline in the federal workforce on record—will follow suit. The Guardian noted that numerous workers participating in this program have expressed feeling cornered by an atmosphere of “fear and intimidation.” One veteran employee from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remarked, “Federal workers stay for the mission. When that mission is taken away…they leave.” A growing sentiment of disillusionment appears to have swept through the ranks.
The cumulative total of expected departures, encompassing both the deferred resignation offers and other reduction initiatives, could reach around 275,000 employees, according to statements from administration representatives. Alongside this, thousands have faced termination through recent reduction mandates.
This unprecedented wave of resignations marks the most significant downturn in federal employment since World War II. Those who accepted the deferred resignation have requested anonymity, fearing it might impact their future career prospects within the government.
At the heart of this administration’s approach lies a longstanding goal: to downsize and diminish the influence of the federal bureaucracy. In early 2025, directives were issued to agencies for sweeping cuts and reorganizations aimed at eradicating waste and inefficiency. Early actions have notably targeted organizations perceived as liberal or bureaucratically expansive. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), for instance, has experienced severe staff reductions, with most Washington-based employees placed on leave and denied office access.
Simultaneously, agencies are under orders to develop reorganization plans intended to streamline operations, reducing redundancy and eliminating unnecessary management layers. These directives represent a broader strategy to ensure the federal government runs more efficiently while curtailing costs.
The mass exit of federal employees under these initiatives reflects a calculated attempt to reshape the federal landscape according to the Trump administration’s vision. As the landscape evolves, the consequences of this substantial restructuring will unfold in the coming months, as the future of federal employment hangs in the balance.
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