White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied claims that the Trump administration’s federal worker buyout program is a “purge” of critics.Federal employees received emails offering a “deferred resignation program,” allowing them to quit by February 6 while receiving pay and benefits through September. Leavitt defended the plan as a push to get workers back to the office,
calling it “overwhelmingly popular” outside Washington, D.C.The buyout applies to most full-time government workers except those in national security, the military, and USPS. Federal union leader Everett Kelley warned it could weaken services and create a “toxic environment” for employees.
