Attorneys General Urge Caution for Federal Employees Considering Trump Buyout Offer

A coalition of state attorneys general is warning federal employees about a controversial buyout offer extended by the Trump administration. They assert that employees who choose to resign may face uncertainty regarding the promised benefits.

Background on the Buyout Offer

President Donald Trump has initiated a buyout scheme targeting nearly all federal workers in an effort to encourage their return to in-person work. Federal employees have until Thursday to decide whether to participate, as communicated through an email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Program Details and Concerns

Under the proposed buyout plan, workers opting to resign would theoretically retain full pay and benefits, independent of their workload. They would also be exempt from in-person work requirements until September 30. However, unions representing these federal employees, namely the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Federation of Federal Employees, have cautioned against accepting the offer. They emphasize that there is no guarantee of receiving the benefits promised under this program.

Criticism from California’s Attorney General

California Attorney General Rob Bonta voiced strong opposition to the buyout initiative. He stated, “Federal employees provide vital services that Americans rely on every day, and are an essential part of the California economy and communities across the state.” Bonta underscored that the buyout offer symbolizes a direct attack on the federal workforce, potentially disrupting essential government operations. He urges federal employees to heed their unions’ advice and approach the buyout offer with caution.

Broad Coalition of Attorneys General

Joining California in their warning are attorneys general from a diverse array of states, including Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

Federal Return to Office Mandate

This buyout proposal follows the Trump administration’s mandate that all federal employees must return to physical offices. The OPM has highlighted that a majority of federal workers who have been operating remotely since the onset of COVID-19 will now be required to be present in their offices five days a week.

Administration Statement on New Policies

A senior official from the administration remarked, “The government-wide email being sent today is to ensure all federal workers are aligned with the new plan to have them in the office and following elevated performance expectations.” The official pointed out that only 6% of federal employees currently work full-time in office settings—a statistic deemed unacceptable.

Concerns Raised by Federal Unions

The American Federation of Government Employees recently communicated in a letter to its members that there is no guarantee their resignations will be accepted or that benefits promised under the program will be honored.

NFFE National President Randy Erwin voiced strong concerns about the sincerity of the buyout offer. He stated, “This offer from OPM should not be taken seriously. The proposal lacks binding authority under existing law or policy and it is not funded by Congress, creating uncertainty around the agreement’s terms.”

Federal Employees’ Commitment to Their Roles

Erwin further stated, “Federal employees will not yield to tactics that unfairly pressure them to resign. Civil servants are deeply committed to their work and the missions of their agencies, and they will not be swayed by what he termed as ‘this phony ploy’.” He implored all federal employees to disregard the buyout proposal and to remain steadfast in their roles.