White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the controversy surrounding the federal worker buyout offer, which some critics claim is an effort to “purge” government employees who oppose President Trump. Leavitt clarified that the initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce government spending and encourage workers to return to in-person jobs, dismissing any political motivations.

The program offers federal workers the option to resign by February 6, with pay and benefits continuing through September. Leavitt defended the policy, emphasizing that only 6% of federal workers in Washington, D.C., are currently reporting to their offices, and compared this to workers in other sectors who show up every day. She also noted that the program is widely popular outside of D.C. and is consistent with the president’s campaign promise.

Critics, including union leaders, have raised concerns about the potential negative impact on public services and the pressure it may place on federal employees to resign. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, warned that the policy could harm vital government functions and create a toxic work environment.

Despite the backlash, the administration argues that the buyout program is a step toward cutting wasteful spending and modernizing the federal workforce. With the February 6 deadline approaching, it remains to be seen how many workers will accept the buyout or choose to stay under the new guidelines.