Trump’s Federal Workforce Shake-Up: 100,000 Resignations Set for Tuesday
The U.S. government is bracing for what could be the largest mass resignation in American history. On Tuesday, more than 100,000 federal workers are expected to formally step down under former President Donald Trump’s deferred resignation program — a controversial initiative reshaping the federal workforce at record speed.
The Program at a Glance
Trump’s deferred resignation scheme was introduced earlier this year as part of a broader effort to slash government payrolls and shrink federal bureaucracy. Under the plan, employees were given financial incentives to resign by a set deadline. For many, however, critics argue the program felt less like a choice and more like coercion, as waves of job insecurity, firings, and weakened protections left little alternative.
- 100,000 resignations on Tuesday alone
- 275,000 projected departures total through resignations, retirements, and layoffs
- $14.8 billion upfront cost, with Trump officials claiming $28 billion annual savings
A Workforce in Upheaval
Federal unions and labor advocates say the program amounts to the largest gutting of public service in U.S. history, with ripple effects likely across health care, defense, transportation, and regulatory agencies. “It’s a hollowing out of expertise that took decades to build,” warned one union representative.
Meanwhile, agencies have been instructed to prepare mass firing plans in case of a government shutdown, further fueling unease among workers.
Legal and Political Fallout
The legality of the deferred resignation program remains contested. Lawsuits filed by federal unions and watchdog groups argue it violates both employment protections and constitutional safeguards. In parallel, Trump has faced backlash for his dismissal of 17 inspectors general, a move recently deemed unlawful by a federal judge, though the officials were not reinstated.
What Comes Next
While the administration hails the program as a step toward “leaner, more efficient government,” critics see an erosion of democratic institutions and oversight. The resignations set for Tuesday will test whether Trump’s aggressive restructuring delivers on promised savings — or leaves the federal government paralyzed by the loss of talent and institutional knowledge.
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