White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed concerns about a new buyout offer for federal workers, which some critics claimed was an effort to “purge” government employees who oppose President Trump. Leavitt strongly denied this, stating that the offer was not a political move but a part of Trump’s plan to reduce spending and encourage federal workers to return to their jobs. She clarified that the deferred resignation program, which offers workers the chance to resign by February 6 with paid benefits until September, was an option, not a mandate.

Leavitt emphasized that this policy was broadly popular outside Washington, DC, and was designed to address the low attendance rate among federal workers in the city, with only 6% of them showing up to work. She added that the program wouldn’t incur extra costs since the government already pays for unused office spaces.

The buyout offer applies to most federal employees, excluding those in critical roles like the military and national security. Those who choose to resign will receive a “dignified, fair departure,” according to the administration. Critics, like President Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees, warned that the move could undermine the federal workforce, creating instability for Americans reliant on government services. However, Leavitt reaffirmed that the intention was not to purge workers, but to encourage a return to work.

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