WASHINGTON (DC News Now) –Tens of thousands of federal workers are planning their next move after taking the Trump administration’s buyout, or deferred resignation offer, that program closed Wednesday night after a judge ruled it could move forward.
The Department of Education and the Small Business Administration are among the government agencies that saw dozens of probationary employees fired overnight.
Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Education, and eventually dismantle it, Linda MacMahon faced lawmakers on Capitol Hill today.
Sheria Smith is the president of AFGE Local 252, the union representing the department’s non-managerial employees expressed frustration over the terminations.
“Under this administration, we have been iced out, forced not to work, been placed on paid administrative leave. As of last night, my colleagues have been terminated, with no reason,” said Smith.
Those firings happened right after the Trump administration closed the buyout program, with roughly 77,000 federal workers reportedly taking the offer.
It’s part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) efforts to shrink the size of the federal government. GOP strategists, like Colin Reed, are on board with it.
“This administration is getting tough on spending. It’s gonna have some turbulence along the way. It’s an overdue discussion and it’s one we need to have if we want to be economic leaders on the years ahead,” said Reed.
Dismantling the Department of Education could come with impacts to local schools. Donna Christy, the president of the Prince George’s County Educators Association, has concerns.
“I think it will have a huge impact on our Title I schools. We get a lot of funding through Title I that helps keep our class sizes manageable,” said Christy. “It’s just a very scary time.”
Smith also shared with DC News Now at least one of those employees who was fired Wednesday night had also accepted the buyout, or deferred resignation offer, to avoid termination.
It’s not clear if any other employees have found themselves in similar situations.
