Federal Workers Weigh Musk’s Buyout Offer as Deadline Approaches/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A Trump administration initiative led by Elon Musk is offering federal employees several months of pay to resign, sparking confusion and skepticism among the 2 million workers affected. While Trump officials insist the buyout is legitimate, unions and Democrats warn it could be a scam, with concerns that employees may not receive promised compensation. A Boston court will hear arguments Thursday on whether to block the program, as protests grow in Washington.
Federal Workers Debate Legitimacy of Musk’s Buyout Offer: Quick Look
- Trump administration, led by Elon Musk, offers federal employees a buyout—several months of pay in exchange for resignation.
- Over 2 million federal workers must decide by Thursday night (11:59 p.m. EST) whether to accept the deal.
- White House ramps up pressure, warning that layoffs and restructuring are imminent.
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM) email states that remaining employees must show “loyalty” and will face stricter conduct rules.
- Democrats and unions call the buyout a scam, warning that Congress hasn’t approved the payments, so workers may not get paid.
- Boston federal court hearing Thursday afternoon to determine if the buyout plan should be blocked.
- Some workers fear the deal is a trap—potentially a way to create a list of employees considered disloyal to Trump.
- Rachel Oglesby, a top Trump official, insists the buyout is legitimate, calling it “one of many tools to reform the civil service.”
- Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is driving the plan, echoing tactics he used when taking over Twitter.
- Protests erupt outside federal buildings as workers fear mass layoffs and political purges.
- Uncertainty grows as federal employees weigh their options—resign and risk not getting paid, or stay and face possible termination later.
Federal Workers Debate Legitimacy of Trump’s Buyout Offer as Deadline Nears
Uncertainty Looms Over Musk-Led Government Downsizing
With a Thursday night deadline looming, federal employees are scrambling to decide whether to accept a controversial buyout offer orchestrated by Elon Musk, one of President Donald Trump’s most influential advisers.
The so-called “deferred resignation program” offers several months of pay in exchange for an employee’s voluntary departure from government service. The goal, according to the administration, is to streamline and shrink the federal workforce as part of Project 2025.
However, many employees are skeptical. Is the deal legitimate? Or is it a ploy to oust workers viewed as disloyal to Trump?
“What if this is just a way to make a list of employees they don’t trust?” said one anonymous federal worker in the Pacific Northwest, who is considering taking the payout and moving abroad.
White House Pushes for Resignations, Warns of Layoffs
On Wednesday, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent an email to federal employees warning that layoffs and furloughs could follow if the government downsizing continues.
“The majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force,” the OPM email stated.
Additionally, the email warned that:
- Remaining employees will face increased loyalty standards and “enhanced suitability checks.”
- Civil service protections could be revoked for some positions.
- Employees engaging in “unlawful behavior or misconduct” will be prioritized for termination.
Democrats and Unions Warn: “It’s a Scam”
Union leaders and Democratic lawmakers are urging federal employees not to take the deal, warning that it hasn’t been approved by Congress—raising the risk that workers may never receive promised payments.
“It’s a scam, not a buyout,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
“If it were me, I wouldn’t do it.”
Unions have filed a lawsuit to block the program, arguing that the administration lacks legal authority to carry out mass terminations. A Boston federal court will hear arguments Thursday afternoon.
Some employees have already spotted red flags, including:
- A clause waiving the right to sue if the government fails to pay.
- No clear legal framework ensuring payments.
- An email campaign from Musk’s DOGE team that trivialized the decision.
“At first, people were ready to leave,” said Mary-Jean Burke, a Veterans Affairs physical therapist and union official.
“But when they saw a message from DOGE saying, ‘Take the vacation you always wanted, or just watch movies and chill while getting full pay,’ it just seemed too good to be true.”
Trump Officials Insist the Offer Is Real
Rachel Oglesby, chief of staff at the Department of Education, confirmed the program is part of Trump’s strategy to cut government spending and limit the power of the federal bureaucracy.
“I know there’s been a lot of questions out there about whether it’s real and whether it’s a trick,” Oglesby said in a recording obtained by the Associated Press.
“It’s exactly what it looks like. It’s one of the many tools that [Trump] is using to bring reform to the civil service.”
A Department of Agriculture meeting also addressed the issue, with officials admitting that workers have little time to make a life-changing decision.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers,” said Marlon Taubenheim, a human resources official.
Musk’s Role in Project 2025 and Government Downsizing
Musk, who was put in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been a driving force behind efforts to reduce the federal workforce.
- He sent an email titled “Fork in the Road” to employees, echoing a similar message he sent to Twitter workers in 2022 after taking over the platform.
- His team has led internal meetings explaining the expected restructuring and urging employees to accept buyouts voluntarily.
However, many federal workers are unconvinced, citing Trump’s history of business disputes and concerns that the government lacks legal authority to distribute the promised payments.
Protests Grow Outside Federal Buildings
As the deadline approaches, protests have erupted outside federal offices, including the Office of Personnel Management in Washington.
“This isn’t downsizing—it’s a purge,” said Dante O’Hara, a government worker protesting the program.
“If we don’t push back, they’ll replace career professionals with Trump loyalists.”
Some employees fear that their jobs could disappear overnight.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be here tomorrow,” one worker admitted.
What Happens Next?
- The Boston court hearing Thursday afternoon will determine whether the buyout program gets blocked.
- If the lawsuit fails, thousands of employees could voluntarily resign, allowing the Trump administration to move forward with mass layoffs.
- Democrats may attempt congressional action, but with Republicans in control, their options remain limited.
For now, federal employees face an agonizing decision: accept the buyout offer and risk not getting paid, or stay and face possible layoffs under Project 2025.
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