The last thing Shane Poole wanted was to turn her back on the military life he loves. But Poole, an Air Force veteran who now works as a civilian coach, says that he has lost all confidence in government as President Donald Trump Puts a takeover now or never on federal workers and democrats seem helpless to stop it.
Poole had been dedicated to his team of 77 and the branch of the service he has served since the age of 18. But the Blitz Trump on government employees has changed their mind.
It is one of the 60,000 reported federal employees who accepted the unprecedented buyout offer, which is pending pending a legal hearing on Monday.
“What is frustrating is that this administration described people like me as the enemy of the American people. We are described as lazy, incompetent and weak productivity, “said Poole, 41, specialist in main educational systems at the Hill Air Force de l’Utah. “It’s hurtful to see people encourage this.”
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More than a dozen federal employees have spoken to USA Today about their decisions to stay or leave. Few were willing to assert the file, saying that they were concerned about remuneration. Some have said they feared that their buyout offers could be canceled if they were cited in the media.
They weighed questions on mortgages, health care and tuition fees, compared to their start with nothing if they stay and the administration follows threats to content and layoffs.
The buyout offer is part of the billionaire Elon Musk efforts to rationalize and reduce the government through the Government Department of EffectivenessOr DOGE, a working group created by Trump after its electoral victory in 2024.
Administration Tuesday warned of federal employees They could be on leave if they do not accept buyback and that “the majority of federal agencies will be reduced”, with the Ministry of Defense as an exception.
More than 2 million federal employees at the national level had been sentenced to Decide by the end of the day Thursday Whether to resign or stay in their work.
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A The federal judge took a Trump buyout break A few hours before the deadline in order to give unions time to challenge the legality of the plan.
About 80% of federal employees work outside the metropolitan region of Washington, DC, according to March 2024 data published by the staff management office.
Beyond the popular image of federal bureaucrats in Washington are millions of workers across the country working in hospitals of veterans, laboratories, post offices and military bases. Some are security inspectors, park rangers, mine inspectors, loan administrators for small businesses and correctional agents. They serve from one administration to another, whatever the part that holds the White House.
‘Tired of being threatened’
Tony Yang, a 51 -year -old computer specialist for the US Department of Minnesota agriculture, decided to take early retirement rather than to face a 125 -thousand trip to his office.
Yang, who has worked for the federal government for eight years, hoped to keep up to retirement and collect a full board. Starting now, he abandons about $ 1,000 a month.
At first, his wife did not want him to move away from the security of a government job, worried about the way they offered the mortgage, credit cards and other monthly invoices.
But after conversations at the end of the evening, they decided that it was the best way to follow, Yang said. Trump’s order according to which all federal employees return to the office were too much, especially when they are associated with the offer of a takeover which has eight months of salary and benefits.
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“It was a difficult choice. Honestly, I like my job and I didn’t want to leave yet. I’m sad to leave my team, ”said Yang. “But I feel like I have to settle for that.”
Poole faced a similar dilemma. In probation due to a recent promotion, Poole said that he feared that his job will be at stake. So, with the deadline that is looming, he decided to accept the offer.
“I thought of going out with something rather than anything of the intelligent decision,” he said. “Many people think that this fork on the road is a scam, but I also try to call their bluff. Even if it is the case, and they stiffen us, it’s always better than leaving with nothing. »»
Poole said he considered himself lucky. He has two third cycle diplomas, zero debt and ample savings.
He has already won two interviews after only a week of job search. Federal employees like him who take over are very productive and marketable people that federal agencies cannot afford to lose, he said.
Even if his resignation is blocked, Poole said he was planning to leave anyway.
“I can’t trust them anymore. For me, the bridge is burned, “he said. “It is difficult for me to say that, as a person who served his country during this length. But I’m finished and I’m tired of being threatened every day when I go to work. »»
What to do?
Federal workers across the country have said they were arguing to stay or go like their reception boxes filled with email and increasingly disastrous advice from the staff management and management office of their agencies.
A “final” note was received Thursday before the judge’s ordinance stressed that “there will be no extension of this program”.
Employees groaned to get a week to make such a major decision. Certain agencies, such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Ministry of Internal Security, told employees the day before the deadline on Thursday that they made for the offer.
“This is a deeply personal decision, and whatever the decision you make, we support you,” says the email.
The court order gave employees an additional weekend to weigh their choice. In federal offices across the country, skepticism has remained if the administration has the legal power to continue the offer.
Some federal employees said they did not trust the Trump administration to honor commitment. Some were concerned about a provision in the buyout offer which obliges them to renounce the right to pursue legal or administrative action. Others fear that they are not allowed to ask questions in writing.
A health and social services employee who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid reprisals said that some feared finding a new job if the market is flooded with thousands of former federal employees at the same time, private companies Set workers in several sectors.
“I can only conclude that this will lead to mass unemployment, a decrease in opportunities and remuneration and incredible difficulties throughout the American economy,” she said.
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Even if the pressure has increased on federal employees, some agencies warning that dismissals are probably if not enough people, she and her husband – who both work for the federal government – do not plan to do so. She said their work helps the American people. They also need their jobs to cover their mortgage, their student loans and other financial obligations.
His fears have been reproduced by a long-standing employee of the forest service: “How does a good 20-year-old employee or even someone explain to a private employer why they have just lost his job?”
An EPA employee said there was a reluctance in the office to discuss the buyout. Even if the offer is not legal, as much of fear, the employees fear that if they remain, they could be dismissed and end up with nothing.
Unions representing federal workers have warned employees not to take the offer. The congress only funded government operations in mid-March.
“I can tell you that it was almost a taboo subject,” said EPA employee. “I think people are afraid of admitting if they take it because there is a feeling that they are about to get sucked.”