Thousands of federal workers are facing a decision whether to leave their government jobs as part of a financial incentive orchestrated by Elon Musk, a powerful adviser to President Donald Trump. The deferred resignation program offers several months of pay in exchange for resignation, with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday. The Trump administration is urging workers to take the deal, presenting it as a valuable opportunity to downsize the federal government and save taxpayer money.
However, Democrats and unions have raised concerns about the program. Democrats argue that the program was not authorized by Congress, potentially putting workers at risk of not getting paid. Unions have sued to stop Trump's plans, claiming it is a scam. The administration has emphasized that employees who remain will be subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct.
