‘Absolutely False!’ Trump Spox Denies Federal Worker Buyouts a Purge Anti-Trumpers

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed recent criticism from liberal circles, rejecting claims that federal worker buyout offers are an effort to "purge" President Donald Trump’s critics from the government.

This week, federal employees received an email introducing a "deferred resignation program" with a deadline of February 6. Under this plan, eligible workers would continue receiving pay and benefits through September. The initiative is part of Trump’s broader effort to reduce government spending and ensure federal employees return to in-person work.

Leavitt defended the move as an "overwhelmingly popular policy" outside of Washington, D.C., pushing back against suggestions that the buyout offer is designed to "purge people who don’t agree with the president" from federal employment.

"That’s absolutely false. This is a suggestion to federal workers that they have to return to work. And if they don’t, then they have the option to resign. And this administration is very generously offering to pay them for eight months. 6% of the federal workforce in this city actually shows up to work. That’s unacceptable. We’re all here at work at the office," Leavitt stated.

"There are law enforcement officers and teachers and nurses across the country who showed up to the office today. People in this city need to do the same. It’s an overwhelmingly popular policy with people outside of Washington, D.C. The president campaigned on this and his administration is keeping a promise," she added.

Leavitt also emphasized that the initiative would not increase costs, pointing out that the government continues to fund office spaces that remain underutilized.

"We’re going to make good use of the office space in this city by having these federal workers return to work. I would also add that the order simply directs federal agencies to come up with a return-to-work plan. And so this isn’t a purge and this isn’t forcing every single individual in Washington, D.C. to return to work," she explained. "Only if they are able and, of course, within the law."

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The Trump administration is extending a buyout offer to approximately 2 million government employees who do not wish to return to in-person work later this year.

Starting Tuesday night, federal employees will begin receiving emails informing them that they can retain their benefits and continue receiving pay through September if they opt to resign by February 6.

The program is available to all full-time federal employees, with exceptions for military personnel, U.S. Postal Service workers, and employees in roles related to immigration enforcement and national security.

Federal employees were instructed in Tuesday’s email to respond with "resign" if they wished to accept the offer.

"If you choose to remain in your current position, we thank you for your renewed focus on serving the American people," the email reads, adding, "At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position."

"If you chose not to continue in your current role in the federal workforce, we thank you for your service to your country," the message continues, assuring that departing employees will receive a "dignified, fair departure."

However, President Everett Kelley expressed concern over the initiative, warning of its broader implications.

"The number of civil servants hasn’t meaningfully changed since 1970, but there are more Americans than ever who rely on government services. Purging the federal government of dedicated career federal employees will have vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government," Kelley stated.

"This offer should not be viewed as voluntary. Between the flurry of anti-worker executive orders and policies, it is clear that the Trump administration’s goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to."