Trump can’t seem to escape his legal woes. The hits keep on coming.
And Donald Trump is pummeled with a new law suit that has him ripping his hair out.
Unions Sue to Halt Trump Administration’s Federal Buyout Plan
Unions representing U.S. government employees have taken legal action to stop the Trump administration’s buyout plan for federal workers. The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, comes as more than 20,000 employees prepare to leave their positions, according to a U.S. official speaking to Reuters.
The American Federation of Government Employees, along with two other unions, argues that the buyout initiative is “arbitrary and capricious” and goes against federal law. Their complaint challenges both the legality and the potential consequences of the program.
A Push to Reduce Government Workforce
Last week, the White House extended an offer to two million full-time civilian federal employees: resign this week and continue receiving pay and benefits through September 30. The initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s efforts to significantly reduce the size of the federal government.
Employees have until today to decide whether to accept the offer.
However, unions argue the administration has not adequately planned for the repercussions of large-scale resignations. They claim the government has no clear strategy for ensuring the program is properly funded or for addressing how a sudden exodus of workers might impact federal operations.
White House Defends the Buyout Plan
Despite the pushback, the White House Office of Personnel Management stood by the program, asserting its legality in a memo sent to federal agencies on Tuesday. The administration insists the initiative has undergone thorough legal review and emphasizes that participation is entirely voluntary.
A U.S. official framed the program as a financial support measure, allowing employees to transition out of federal service while agencies adjust to a shrinking workforce.
Growing Exodus of Civil Servants
Since taking office, Trump has aggressively restructured the federal workforce, removing or sidelining hundreds of civil workers in an effort to reshape the bureaucracy with more loyal appointees.
According to the U.S. official, the number of employees planning to resign has been steadily rising, with the biggest wave of departures expected within the final 24 to 48 hours before the deadline.
Some exemptions exist. The White House has stated that public safety employees, including air traffic controllers, will not be subject to the “deferred resignation program.”
Controversial Messaging Sparks Outrage
The administration’s handling of the buyout offer has drawn sharp criticism from federal employees. In a message to workers last week, officials encouraged them to leave their “lower productivity jobs,” explore opportunities in the private sector, and even take a vacation to a “dream destination.” Many civil servants saw this language as dismissive and insulting.
According to a memo distributed to federal employees, those who accept the offer would remain on the payroll through September 30. However, they would not be required to report to work, and their job responsibilities could be reduced or eliminated entirely.
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