Donald Trump and the message Fork in the Road or You're fired
President Trump wants to slash payroll. Official photo of Donald Trump and image generated with Copilot

"Fork in the Road": A message inviting millions of state workers to resign

The Trump administration wants to remove a significant group of workers from the state with a voluntary retirement strategy. Will it work?

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The Donald Trump administration has launched a proposal that could redefine the size of the federal government and the future of its employees. With the subject line "Fork in the Road," approximately two million state workers have received an email asking them to voluntarily resign while continuing to receive their salaries until September 30. The move has sparked debate among lawmakers, unions and public administration experts, who warn of the consequences of a massive downsizing of the state apparatus.

According to a report by The New York Times, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent an email to federal employees detailing the offer. Those who accept must send a message from their government account with the word "resign" to formalize their departure. In exchange, they will continue to receive their full salary and benefits until the stipulated date.

The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and charged with reducing the size of government, has promoted the initiative on social media. In a publication in X the agency highlighted that employees will be able to "take the vacation they always wanted or just relax watching movies while still collecting their paychecks".

Donald Trump has stated on several occasions his intention to reduce the federal bureaucracy. According to statements quoted by The Washington Post, the president believes that a smaller and more efficient government will be a "perfect gift to America" on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

Another clear sign of Trump's intentions is his close friendship with Argentina's President Javier Milei who carried out what is considered the largest economic adjustment in the history of mankind. To achieve this he used the metaphor of the chainsaw to signify the level of cuts to be executed.

Elon Musk has stated on social networks that between 5% and 10% of federal employees are expected to accept the offer, which would mean an estimated savings of 100 billion dollars. In comparison, according to data from the U.S. Treasury Department, federal government spending in 2024 exceeded $6.7 trillion.

Legal challenges

The proposal has generated adverse reactions in Congress and among federal employee unions. According to The Guardian, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine urged workers not to accept the offer, arguing that "the president has no authority to make such a promise" and warning that there is no budget line item to fund these payments.

The largest union of federal employees, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), has called the measure "a strategy to dismantle the government". In a statement quoted by CNN, the organization warned that the massive departure of employees could affect the provision of essential services to the population.

The impact of the initiative will depend on the number of employees who opt to take advantage of the offer. The Wall Street Journal points out that, although the resignation is voluntary, workers who remain in their positions could face layoffs or cutbacks in their agencies. In the mailing sent by OPM, it warns that "we cannot guarantee the stability of your positions or agencies," suggesting possible broader restructuring.

The plan is also part of a package of reforms pushed by Trump to overhaul the civil service. Among the measures highlighted are the elimination of remote work, the revision of performance standards to ensure that employees are "loyal and reliable," and the reclassification of some workers to "at-will" status, which would make it easier to fire them.

The legal feasibility of the plan remains uncertain. The New York Times notes that the government may need congressional approval to offer extended compensation to resigned employees. So far, multiple lawsuits have been filed against several of the executive orders issued by Trump in the first days of his new term. Among them, a federal judge temporarily blocked the order to suspend birthright citizenship.

Side effects

Analysts warn that the reduction in the number of federal employees could lead to disruptions in the delivery of government services. Areas such as social security, health, education and assistance programs could be affected by the decrease in personnel.

In addition, there is a risk that workers who resign will be difficult to replace. The Washington Post mentions that, in recent years, the government has faced difficulties in attracting young talent to public service. A massive withdrawal of experienced employees could accentuate this problem.

"The Crossroads" represents a turning point for public administration in the United States. While the White House presents it as an opportunity to cut red tape, critics warn of the impact on essential services and the legal uncertainty surrounding its implementation. The response of federal employees and the decisions of Congress and the courts will be decisive in defining the future of this initiative and the size of the federal government in the coming years.

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