Federal Workers Face Resignation Deadline Amid Trump’s Downsizing Efforts
By American Faith – February 6, 2025
Federal employees have until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 6, 2025, to accept the Trump administration’s resignation offer, part of a broader effort to downsize government operations. The initiative allows eligible workers to voluntarily resign and receive compensation and benefits through September 30, 2025. However, employees in essential roles such as military, postal services, immigration, and national security are excluded from this offer.
The Trump administration has framed the effort as a necessary step to reduce bureaucracy and improve government efficiency. Officials from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which oversees federal workforce policies, have played a key role in executing the plan. According to sources, after the resignation deadline, the administration will begin implementing a series of “Reductions in Force” (RIF), which are expected to result in widespread layoffs in various agencies.
While some federal workers have taken the resignation offer, others are choosing to stay and face the possibility of layoffs. The OPM has provided resources and counseling to help employees navigate their options. Critics of the plan argue that it unfairly targets long-serving civil servants and could weaken essential government functions. Meanwhile, supporters believe it is a much-needed restructuring to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce federal spending.
The resignation deadline has already had ripple effects within federal agencies. Erica Roach, Chief Financial Officer of OPM, recently resigned amid the ongoing restructuring, signaling potential turmoil within the agency’s leadership. As the government braces for the next phase of workforce reductions, employees must decide whether to leave voluntarily or risk being part of the upcoming cuts.
Once the deadline passes, layoffs are expected to begin quickly, with departments issuing notices to affected employees. These cuts are likely to have a significant impact on federal operations and the broader job market, particularly in Washington, D.C., and other regions with large concentrations of government workers.
