Nearly 75,000 U.S. federal employees have accepted President Donald Trump’s voluntary exit offer, according to a spokesperson from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. The move is part of Trump’s broader strategy to reduce the federal workforce, which he has criticized as inefficient and resistant to his administration.
Sweeping Workforce Cuts
Trump has instructed government agencies to prepare for significant job reductions, with some departments expected to cut up to 70% of their staff. Several agencies have already begun laying off recently hired employees who lack full job security.
Union Opposition and Financial Uncertainty
Labor unions have urged their members not to accept the voluntary exit program, warning that Trump’s promises may not be reliable. While the offer includes salary and benefits payments until October without requiring employees to work, uncertainty looms as current spending laws expire on March 14, leaving future funding in question.
Elon Musk to Oversee Efficiency Efforts
Trump has appointed billionaire Elon Musk to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. Musk’s team is reviewing payroll and staffing records in an effort to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget, which totaled $6.75 trillion last year.
Despite these efforts, salaries for civilian federal workers account for less than 5% of the total federal budget.
