Story perspectives

Trump’s $12 B Deferred Resignation Program Pays 140 k Workers

7/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration launched a Deferred Resignation Program that paid 140,000 federal workers to stay on payroll through September 30 2025.
Public Citizen estimated the program’s cost at $11.1 billion to $15.1 billion through March 2026 using Office of Personnel Management data.
The Defense Department lost over 48,000 employees, Treasury 23,000, and Agriculture 14,500, leading some agencies to rehire staff.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said the program exceeded Trump’s authority, calling it inefficient.

1 of 1

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration launched a Deferred Resignation Program that paid 140,000 federal workers to stay on payroll through September 30 2025.
Public Citizen estimated the program’s cost at $11.1 billion to $15.1 billion through March 2026 using Office of Personnel Management data.
The Defense Department lost over 48,000 employees, Treasury 23,000, and Agriculture 14,500, leading some agencies to rehire staff.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said the program exceeded Trump’s authority, calling it inefficient.