Deep State in Panic Mode, Dems Urge Woke Workers Not to Take Buyout, 20K Already Have [WATCH]

The White House is pushing back against criticism from Democrats and union leaders who are urging federal employees not to accept a buyout offer that allows them to resign while continuing to receive pay through September 30.

President Donald Trump announced the offer last month as part of his administration’s effort to reduce the federal workforce by 5 to 10 percent.

So far, approximately 20,000 of the two million eligible workers have accepted the deal, according to a report from Axios on Tuesday.

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However, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union has raised concerns, warning workers that the buyout could be a “trick.”

The union argues that Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk may not have the legal authority to extend such an offer, potentially leaving those who resign without pay.

Top Democrats, including House Oversight Committee members Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA), have labeled the buyout an “illegal scam” and demanded that Trump rescind the offer immediately.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has also spoken out against the plan, calling it part of a broader federal funding freeze he described as “evil.”

Schumer took particular aim at Musk’s role in the restructuring, saying, “The American people will not stand for an unelected secret group to run rampant through the executive branch.”

“Being innovative is good, but Mr. Musk, this isn’t a tech startup. These are public institutions,” Schumer said on Tuesday.

Chuck Schumer is currently having a meltdown over DOGE and Elon Musk.

Ask yourself why he’s so triggered by Americans asking where our tax money is going??? pic.twitter.com/ZWcI99p5Gf

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 4, 2025

The Trump administration’s Office of Personnel Management (OPM) rejected claims that the program is illegitimate, arguing that those discouraging workers from taking the offer are misleading them.

“Union leaders and politicians telling federal workers to reject this offer are doing them a serious disservice,” OPM spokeswoman McLaurine Pinover told DailyMail.com.

“This is a rare, generous opportunity—one that was thoroughly vetted and intentionally designed to support employees through restructuring.”

Pinover added, “Instead of spreading misinformation and using workers as political pawns, they should be making sure federal employees have the facts and freedom to make the best decision for themselves and their families.”

Katie Miller, a former Trump administration official now serving on DOGE’s advisory board, confirmed that the buyout email was sent to “more than TWO MILLION federal employees.”

According to The Washington Post, an internal email sent to employees of the General Services Administration indicated that layoffs across the federal government are “likely.”

The OPM memo also warned of upcoming changes, including “enhanced standards of suitability and conduct” for federal employees, along with additional workforce reductions in the future.

The mention of stricter standards and downsizing has further alarmed union leaders.

“Purging the federal government of dedicated career federal employees will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government,” AFGE President Everett Kelley said.

“Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration’s goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to,” Kelley added.

Some Democrats have suggested that the buyout offer may not hold up legally.

“There’s no budget line item to pay people who are not showing up for work,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) said in a Senate floor speech last week. “Don’t be fooled. He’s tricked hundreds of people with that offer.”

“If you accept that offer and resign, he’ll stiff you just like he stiffed the contractors,” Kaine added.

Tim Kaine tells federal employees to ignore Trump’s offer to quit w/ pay for months. “Don’t be fooled. He’s tricked hundreds of people w/ that offer. If you accept that offer & resign he’ll stiff you just like he stiffed the contractors. He doesn’t have any authority to do this.” pic.twitter.com/iQI3a8grRG

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) January 29, 2025

An OPM source refuted that claim, stating that the Deferred Resignation Program was “not a hastily assembled program.”

“It has undergone extensive legal review by experts in the field to ensure fairness and compliance,” the source said.

“This is a rare opportunity—not a buyout or a loophole—but a deliberate effort to provide employees with financial stability as agencies adjust their workforce.”

Federal employees have until Thursday to decide whether to accept the buyout offer.

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