Image Courtesy Michael Vadon, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A historic wave of over 100,000 federal worker resignations looms as the Trump administration implements deep workforce cuts and Congress battles to avert a government shutdown. Discover the impact on civil servants and government functions.
Washington D.C. – The United States federal government is bracing for an unprecedented departure of over 100,000 federal employees this Tuesday, September 30, 2025. This historic wave of resignations, widely reported by leading news outlets and corroborated by preliminary official statements, marks what could be the largest mass exit in American history. It unfolds concurrently with a critical deadline for Congress to authorize government funding, elevating concerns about a potential government shutdown.
This significant reduction in the federal workforce is a direct consequence of a Trump administration initiative, often referred to as a “deferred resignation program” or “voluntary separation program,” designed to implement sweeping cuts across federal agencies. White House directives have reportedly instructed agencies to prepare for widespread firings if lawmakers fail to reach a budget agreement by the Tuesday deadline.
Many departing federal workers have described a profound sense of unease and coercion, characterizing their decision to leave as a choice driven by “fear and intimidation”. Employees, some with long careers, expressed feeling that the core “mission” of their work had been undermined, their roles scapegoated, and job security eroded, contributing to a diminished work-life balance. A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee reportedly stated, “Federal workers stay for the mission. When that mission is taken away… they leave”. Similarly, a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee described the departure as a “huge grieving process” and a “mental health decision” spurred by burnout and uncertainty. An archaeologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicated they felt “forced to accept the resignation plan” through fear, referencing past comments from Trump administration officials about creating “trauma” for federal workers. Probationary employees, in particular, felt vulnerable to termination at any moment.
While the administration acknowledges a substantial upfront cost of approximately $14.8 billion for the resignation program – which includes paying 200,000 workers full salaries and benefits on administrative leave for up to eight months – officials contend these expenses will yield long-term savings. The Office of Personnel Management, for instance, suggested these one-time costs would lower overall federal spending over time and advocated for an “at-will employment framework” for government employees. A White House spokesperson further asserted that there would be “no additional cost to the government” as employees would have received their salaries regardless, predicting annual savings of $28 billion. The total number of anticipated departures through various reduction initiatives, including delayed resignation, voluntary separation, attrition, and early retirement, is estimated to be around 275,000 employees, marking what could be the largest single-year decline in civilian federal employment since the Second World War.
The mass departure occurs as many former federal workers navigate a challenging job market. The unemployment rate in August 2025 reportedly rose to 4.3%, the highest since 2021, with only 22,000 jobs added amidst economic disruptions, partly attributed to the Trump administration’s tariffs.
In response to these developments, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other labor unions have initiated legal action against the deferred resignation program. They allege that the program bypasses congressional authority, undermines essential government functions by losing employees “En masse”, and was implemented under duress. AFGE President Everett Kelley stated earlier this year that this offer “should not be viewed as voluntary” given the administration’s anti-worker policies.
Adding to the complexity, President Trump is reportedly scheduled to meet with bipartisan congressional leaders on Monday in a last-ditch effort to prevent a government shutdown. An advocacy group, Protect Democracy, has also raised concerns about potential “backdoor cuts” amounting to approximately $8 billion in congressionally approved funding for healthcare and education, suggesting the administration may be holding back these funds. This scenario echoes the 2018 government shutdown during the previous Trump administration, which lasted 35 days and significantly disrupted federal operations.