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The White House has countered accusations from the federal employees union, which urged government workers to reject an offer to resign by February 6 in exchange for paid leave through to the end of September.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publicly responded, accusing union leaders and attorneys of spreading misinformation and misguiding their members.
“This is a rare, generous opportunity - one that was thoroughly vetted and intentionally designed to support employees through restructuring,” said an OPM spokesperson.
“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.”
Union pushback
The deferred resignation offer, distributed via an email titled "Fork in the Road," coincides with President Trump's broader efforts to overhaul the federal workforce. “We’d love to have them leave,” Trump said, when asked about the program. “We’re trying to reduce the government.”
Unions and employment attorneys have raised legal questions about the offer's validity, emphasizing that Congress, not the executive branch, controls federal employee compensation.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) warned its members that “approved union contracts are enforceable by law, and the president does not have the authority to make unilateral changes to those agreements.”
A federal judge recently issued a restraining order blocking a related federal spending freeze, adding to the legal scrutiny surrounding the administration’s workforce policies.
White House legal review
Despite union opposition, the White House maintains that the resignation offer underwent extensive legal review to ensure fairness and compliance with federal law.
Administration officials argue that with workforce reductions already underway, employees who decline the offer risk missing out on an opportunity for greater financial stability as agencies adjust their staffing. In other words, those that don’t take it may leave with nothing.
The ongoing changes have created understandable anxiety among federal employees, fuelled by inconsistent messaging from the White House and federal agencies.
The confusion has left many workers uncertain about their future employment status and benefits as the government continues its restructuring efforts.
