Islamabad, Jan 29: The Trump administration has introduced a controversial plan aimed at significantly reducing the size of the U.S. federal workforce. The “deferred resignation program” offers financial incentives for civilian federal employees to voluntarily resign by February 6.
While employees would remain on the payroll until September 30, they would not be required to work in person and could face a reduction or elimination of duties during this period. The initiative excludes positions related to immigration, national security, and the U.S. Postal Service.
This unprecedented move is part of Trump’s broader strategy to overhaul the federal government, aligning it with his political goals. Currently, the U.S. has approximately 2.3 million civilian federal employees, many of whom are involved in areas like veterans’ healthcare and agriculture inspection. However, the overall percentage of federal workers in the workforce has steadily declined over the years, now representing less than 2%. 
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The administration aims to create a “streamlined and flexible workforce,” but the exact impact on costs or service delivery remains unclear. Some estimates suggest the departure of 5%-10% of federal employees could save up to $100 billion. Critics, however, argue that the proposal is a “fake offer,” with Democratic Senator Tim Kaine questioning its legality and feasibility.
While certain positions will likely see reductions, agencies with security-related functions may experience staff growth. Additionally, the administration has announced plans to reclassify many employees as “at will,” making them more susceptible to layoffs. Despite the government’s call for voluntary resignations, unions representing federal workers are urging caution, warning that the program may have unintended consequences for employees’ job security and benefits.
