On January 29, 2025, the Trump administration announced a new program allowing federal employees the option to defer their return to in-person work. This initiative includes a buyout plan that enables workers to remain on payroll without working until September 30, 2025. Employees have until February 6 to decide if they wish to participate.
The buyout offer is projected to lead to a significant reduction in the federal workforce, with estimates suggesting that 5% to 10% of employees may accept the deal. The initiative aims to save taxpayers around $100 billion annually.
In a related development, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from halting the distribution of federal assistance. This ruling came shortly after the administration attempted to pause disbursements, which had sparked outrage among Democrats who claimed it violated Congressional mandates.