Over 150,000 federal workforce members opted for the departure incentives proposed by Trump
In a move that has caused concern among critics, the Trump administration has paid approximately 154,000 federal employees not to work since Inauguration Day, as a result of voluntary resignation incentives. These incentives, which provided many months of pay through offers such as deferred resignation programs, have led to a significant number of employees leaving the workforce.
The Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organisation that works to revitalise the federal government, estimates that the total number of departures from the federal government since the beginning of the Trump administration—including voluntary resignations, layoffs, and firings—is at least 148,000 as of late July 2025. However, there is some discrepancy in these numbers: the Partnership's total of 148,000 departures includes all types of separations (voluntary and involuntary), while the administration's figure of 154,000 pertains specifically to voluntary incentive acceptances and deferred resignations.
The Partnership for Public Service has also estimated that the Treasury Department, which includes the IRS, has lost 31,201 employees since the beginning of the administration, the largest total compared with other departments.
The voluntary resignation incentives were first offered to federal employees in January, when millions of federal employees were offered a buyout in an email with the subject line "Fork in the Road." Many employees, approximately 75,000, took the offer.
The situation has been described as a "pitch-black battlefield" with "little visibility" by Max Stier, the CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, who called for increased transparency and accountability.
The departures have been attributed to the constant threat of being laid off, as well as the government's spending of more than $7 million a month for employees to stay home on administrative leave across all departments. This figure represents only those who accepted an offer to resign early in exchange for many months of pay, not including those who were laid off or fired.
As of June, about 154,000 employees had resigned or retired early with the promise of being paid through Sept. 30 or Dec. 31, depending on the offer. Some agencies chose to offer the incentive again in the spring.
The total number of departures is likely to change, with more layoffs planned and continued efforts to rehire employees deemed essential to operations. In addition, more than 275,000 federal civil service layoffs have been announced in the Trump administration’s second term, emphasising substantial downsizing beyond just voluntary resignations.
Critics argue that paying more than 150,000 employees not to work for months runs contrary to the goal of rein in government spending and eliminate waste and inefficiency. The lack of information disclosed about the scale and scope of the separations has also been a point of contention.
In the Education Department, more than 800 employees are expected to be formally separated from the department on Friday. Nearly 2,100 employees have been fired or left the department, with a further 2,100 expected to depart in the near future.
The departures from the federal workforce, particularly in key departments such as the Treasury and Education, have raised concerns about the impact on government services and the ability of the government to effectively carry out its duties. The situation is being closely watched by both the public and the media as the administration continues to implement its plans for downsizing the federal workforce.
- Amidst escalating concerns, the significant departures from key departments such as Education and Politics, driven by voluntary resignation incentives, could potentially hinder the government's ability to deliver essential services, particularly in areas like general-news, health, and politics.
- The ongoing downsizing of the federal workforce, as evidenced by more than 150,000 departures since the Trump administration, has ignited debates about its implications on the nation's spending, waste reduction, and even the provision of critical services, such as education and politics.
