The deadline for federal employees to accept the Trump administration’s buyout program has arrived, with more than 40,000 government workers choosing to leave in exchange for eight months of pay and benefits. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) initially offered the buyouts to over two million federal employees, excluding military, postal workers, and national security personnel. The program, announced in January, was designed to cut down the federal workforce through voluntary departures rather than layoffs.

The administration had set a goal of reducing the workforce by 5% to 10%, though the final number remains below those projections. Reports indicate that the highest numbers of buyouts came from agencies facing structural changes, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Some departments will now move forward with hiring freezes and reorganization efforts to address the gaps left by departing employees.

Public sector unions have fought the buyout program in court, filing lawsuits to block the initiative. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and other unions claim the administration lacks the authority to distribute severance pay beyond March without congressional approval. They have also raised concerns that employees accepting the buyouts may not be guaranteed pay if Congress fails to approve future funding.

Critics argue that public sector unions are more concerned about losing dues-paying members than protecting employees. Unlike private sector unions that negotiate with businesses, government unions use collective bargaining to demand higher salaries and benefits from taxpayers. Those who oppose these unions say government employees work for the public and should not be allowed to pressure voters for more than what was agreed upon when they took the job.

Alongside the buyouts, the Trump administration has implemented hiring freezes and taken steps to restructure certain agencies. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has been involved in reviewing agency operations and recommending additional cuts. Some government programs have been put under review, with decisions pending on whether they will be eliminated or restructured.

With today’s deadline passing, federal employees who accepted the buyout offer will remain on administrative leave until the end of the fiscal year. The final number of departures is expected to be confirmed in the coming days as agencies process the last-minute resignations.