Staff Reports
President Trump has apparently declared open season on the federal workforce, and the first casualty seems to be compliance with work standards. In a clever move reminiscent of a game show prize, he’s rolled out a “deferred resignation offer” that lets unhappy bureaucrats skip the daily grind without losing their cushy paychecks. The message is clear: if you think remote work is the pinnacle of productivity, then here’s a golden ticket to sit at home and enjoy the benefits.
The Office of Personnel Management sent out an email presenting this irresistible offer, effectively giving federal employees a choice between rolling up their sleeves under stricter performance reviews or comfortably collecting a paycheck while not actually working. Because who doesn’t want to stay cozy at home with all their perks intact until the end of September? In the world of government jobs, it’s a dream scenario—the type of deal that makes a frequent flyer mile program look like a cheap gimmick.
Now 2 Percent of Federal Government Workforce Has Taken Trump's Exit Deal: Exodus of 40,000 Is Growing: Those dedicated to their jobs and the American people will likely stay. https://t.co/u8HtqJifgM pic.twitter.com/9OmzIeddlx
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) February 7, 2025
Reports indicate that about 20,000 employees, or a measly 1 percent of the 2.3 million federal workers, have opted for this buyout, though the White House initially anticipated a much larger response. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt has been trying to boost the numbers, suggesting that at least 40,000 have jumped on the bandwagon, and she encourages the remaining holdouts to follow suit. If they aren’t thrilled about being held accountable for their performance—well, there’s an exit ramp ready and waiting.
It should come as no surprise that this initiative is part of a larger purge of inefficiency, a crusade against those who prefer to mooch off taxpayers while avoiding accountability. The highlight of this endeavor is the controversial involvement of tech mogul Elon Musk. His team has been methodically dismantling wasteful agencies with the same zeal one would have while cleaning out a garage. Musk has not only identified inefficiencies but is also showcasing them, making it clear that waste in government can’t hide behind a desk anymore.
Between the rising number of federal employees considering their options and the buzz surrounding a possible dismantling of the Department of Education, conversations in government corridors must resemble a game of “who’s next?” The talk about abolishing agencies has been bubbling beneath the surface for decades, but with the Trump administration and Musk leading the charge, it’s no longer just talk. As the bureaucrats weigh their futures—between a generously cushy exit program and a possible axe hanging over their heads—the lazy days of government employment seem poised for a drastic makeover.
