Trump Administration Expands Federal Workforce Reduction with Renewed Deferred Resignation Offers

New agency-specific deadlines and financial incentives aim to increase participation as federal employees face looming layoffs and restructuring plans.

The Trump administration has reopened its 'deferred resignation' program across multiple federal agencies, including USDA, HUD, Defense, Energy, and GSA, with deadlines ranging from April 7 to April 18.
Employees who opt into the program will remain on paid administrative leave with full benefits through September 30, 2025, without work responsibilities.
The USDA and other agencies are offering financial incentives, such as early retirement options, to encourage participation, while warning of potential layoffs and job relocations.
Approximately 75,000 federal workers accepted the initial offer in January, and the administration is now targeting additional participants to meet its workforce reduction goals.
Legal challenges to the program persist, but a federal judge previously allowed it to proceed, and the initiative continues under agency-specific implementation.