Trump to federal employees: take buyout or face possible furlough
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has warned federal employees that they could be furloughed if they do not accept a buyout offer that expires Thursday, according to an email obtained by Paste BN.
The email, sent Tuesday, also warns employees that many will be stripped of civil-service protections and suggests there may be loyalty tests for those who remain.
While a few agencies like the Pentagon may see an increase in hiring, “the majority of federal agencies will be downsized,” the email from the Office of Personnel Management reads.
President Donald Trump has offered buyouts to all federal workers in a push to drastically reduce the size of the federal workforce. All federal employees have been offered eight months of pay and benefits through September if they resign.
The email, titled “Fork in the Road Reminder,” notes in bold that the buyout offer expires at 11:59 p.m. Thursday.
Fork in the Road is the term Elon Musk used when he cut jobs at Twitter in 2022. Now leading the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, Musk appears to be taking the same approach to millions of federal employees.
Tuesday’s email tells federal employees that government will be streamlined through “restructuring, realignments and reductions in force.”
“These actions are likely to include the use of furloughs and the reclassification of at-will status for a substantial number of federal employees,” the email reads.
It goes on to warn employees that they will be subject to “enhanced standards of conduct.”
“The federal workforce should be comprised of employees who are reliable, loyal, trustworthy, and who strive for excellence in their daily work. Employees will be subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct as we move forward.”
It concludes by thanking those employees who choose to remain and tells them that they will be treated with dignity if their positions are eliminated.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with 11 attorneys general from other states, warned federal employees that the buyout offers were misleading.
“These supposed offers are not guaranteed,” James said in a statement. “Federal employees should be cautious and follow the guidance of their unions to protect their rights.”
At least 20,000 federal employees have accepted the buyout offer, a White House official said Tuesday. That represents about 1% of the more than 2 million federal employees, below the White House's goal for 5% to 10% to accept buyouts.