AG mobilizes Dem AGs, unions in latest political brawl. But does she just want to protect bloated bureaucracy?
NOTE: This piece was first published in the Frank Report.
NY State Attorney General James Warns Federal Workers of Uncertain Promises
New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a coalition of 11 other Democratic Attorneys General in warning federal employees about the Trump administration’s “deferred resignation” program. Under this program, federal employees who resign by February 6 will receive pay through September 30, 2025.
“President Trump’s so-called buyout offers are nothing more than the latest attack on federal workers and the services they provide,” James said. “These supposed offers are not guaranteed. Federal employees should be cautious and follow the guidance of their unions to protect their rights.”
Trump’s Deferred Resignation Plan Promises Full Pay Until September 2025—No Work Required
On January 28, the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) emailed millions of federal employees detailing Trump’s deferred resignation program. The OPM told employees that if they accepted the offer and resigned, they would continue to receive all pay and benefits until September 30, 2025, and would never have to show up to work again.
The offer allows federal employees to collect seven months of pay without having to work and generally without restriction from working in the private sector.
Federal Workforce Costs $293 Billion as Communist China Helps Foot the Bill
As of December 2024, the US federal government employed approximately 3 million civilian workers. Employing US federal workers, including wages and benefits, costs taxpayers and lenders to the US government, like China, about $60 per hour, for an annual cost of about $293 billion.
Communist China is the leader in financially supporting the US government, lending several hundred billion dollars annually to help pay for Government expenses.
China, in effect, subsidizes the cost of America’s federal workers. The $10-$30 billion in annual interest the US taxpayers pay China helps the slave-state nation keep a stranglehold on its workers, who are not offered buyout opportunities.
Through buyout offers, Trump’s initiative to reduce the federal workforce by 5% to 10% makes the nation less dependent on China and other foreign countries that support the US federal government.
James Alarmed: Trump’s Federal Buyout Plan Will Cripple Government, Cause Chaos
Attorney General James calls Trump’s plan an attack on the federal workforce that could cripple essential services, drain institutional knowledge, and waste taxpayer money on a reckless buyout scheme.
She imagines mass vacancies in critical agencies, weakened national security, and states forced to pick up the slack as Washington descends into dysfunction.
James’ Attack on Trump’s a Political Stunt?
Critics blast the state attorney general’s involvement in federal policy as a political stunt, accusing her of using federal workforce policy as yet another front in her vendetta against Trump.
Critics say few people other than extreme partisan players would dispute that the federal government employs more people than necessary to accomplish its tasks.
The OPM sent another email on January 30, reiterating the buyout offer and urging federal employees to find “higher productivity” jobs outside the government. Under the deferred resignation program, federal employees have until February 6 to decide whether to remain in their positions or resign.
James Rallies Democrats, Unions to Fight Trump’s Federal Buyout—But to What End?
Attorney General James said, “Attacking our federal workforce will only cause more chaos and confusion for Americans,” said James, apparently aware that Americans are confused and chaotic, as evidenced, she deduced, from their choice to elect Trump.
James added that federal employees who want to leave and take a few months off to do what some have been doing for years, with the only additional change of not having to show up at all, “will diminish the quality of services our government provides.”
She vows to do something unclear.
James said, “We will continue to fight back against any attempt to jeopardize the federal support and programs our states’ residents rely on.”
Unions are standing right behind James. The American Federation of Government Employees and the National Federation of Federal Employees released members stating that employees who accepted the offer were not guaranteed the promised benefits.
James is joined by the Attorneys General of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington in issuing the warning to federal employees.
James has positioned herself as one of Trump’s top enemies. For those who love to watch fights, this one may reach “Bloodsport” caliber.
To be continued.
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