On Tuesday the Trump administration offered nearly all federal workers (with the exception of postal workers) a buyout opportunity. An email sent out by OPM stated that all workers were expected to return to the office or alternatively to respond to the email with the word “resign.” Those who chose to resign would be given an 8-month severance with no expectation of further work.
The response to this offer has been a combination of panic and disbelief. The panic seems to stem from the fact that those who stay have no guarantee their jobs won’t be cut a few months from now as part of a DOGE effort to reduce the size of government. So taking the deal could turn out to be a better offer than what they will get later. As one DOJ employee who spoke to Politico anonymously put it, the buyout offer may be the last lifeboat.
“Chaos, mistrust, confusion,” said…
