Approximately 20,000 federal employees have embraced President Donald Trump’s buyout offer, falling short of the White House’s target of 5% to 10% acceptance among the 2 million federal workforce. However, the White House anticipates a surge in resignations in the final hours before the deadline. The buyout initiative, part of a broader move to downsize the federal workforce, was extended to all employees by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Those opting to stay were informed of the need for in-person work, adherence to new performance standards, and a commitment to reliability and trustworthiness. The reshaping of the government, spearheaded by tech mogul Elon Musk through the Department of Government Efficiency, aims to streamline operations and initiate significant organizational changes.

The buyout offer, reminiscent of Musk’s past corporate endeavors, generated confusion among employees initially unsure of their obligations if they accepted the deferred resignation proposal. Concerns were raised by Democrats, cautioning against trusting Trump’s intentions. In response to the ambiguity, a follow-up email clarified that employees on deferred resignation are not expected to work and can seek alternative employment while receiving pay until September. Musk’s involvement in federal departments, including accessing sensitive personnel data, has raised eyebrows, with reports of career civil servants being locked out of government computer systems. As the situation unfolds, the implications of this significant workforce restructuring continue to draw attention and scrutiny.