Over 100,000 Federal Workers Set to Resign Amid Trump Administration Workforce Cuts and Looming Shutdown

Mass Resignations Mark Historic Federal Workforce Reduction

The United States is bracing for a historic shift in its federal workforce as over 100,000 federal employees are scheduled to formally resign on Tuesday. This unprecedented wave of departures is a direct result of a deferred resignation program implemented by the Trump administration, aimed at significantly cutting the size of the federal government. The mass resignations are set to occur on the same day as a critical deadline for Congress to authorize funding, raising the specter of a government shutdown.

Described as the 'largest mass resignation in US history' and the 'largest single-year decline in civilian federal employment since the second world war,' the program has drawn both support and criticism.

Trump Administration's Workforce Reduction Initiative

The deferred resignation program is a key component of the Trump administration's broader strategy to reshape the federal bureaucracy. Officials argue that these cuts are essential for reducing government spending and fostering a more 'at-will employment framework' for federal civil servants. The initiative has been spearheaded, in part, by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, which has overseen mass layoffs and other measures to streamline government operations.

While over 100,000 workers are resigning on Tuesday, the total scope of the administration's workforce reduction efforts is even larger. The overall resignation program is projected to cost $14.8 billion, covering up to eight months of full salary and benefits for 200,000 employees on administrative leave. The White House contends that this initial outlay will ultimately lead to annual savings of $28 billion by reducing long-term government expenditures. Across various programs, including deferred resignations, voluntary separations, attrition, and early retirements, approximately 275,000 employees are expected to depart.

Impact and Coinciding Shutdown Threat

The impending resignations are occurring amidst a tense political climate, with Congress facing a deadline to pass a funding bill to avert a government shutdown. In a significant departure from past shutdown protocols, the White House has instructed federal agencies to prepare plans for large-scale, permanent firings of employees if a shutdown materializes. These targeted layoffs would focus on positions not legally required or those deemed inconsistent with presidential priorities.

Federal workers affected by the program have reported feeling 'fear and intimidation,' leading many to believe they had 'no choice but to depart' due to uncertain job security and a perceived undermining of their professional missions. Some have characterized their decision to resign as a 'mental health decision' after months of pressure. The mass exodus is anticipated to cause significant economic strain, particularly in the Washington D.C. region. Critics, including federal unions, argue that these reductions could compromise critical government services and harm the public. Notably, some agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Labor, have reportedly begun efforts to rehire workers who accepted the deferred resignation offer, with the IRS seeking to bring back an unspecified number of the 26,000 employees who initially left.