Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) has issued a stark warning to federal employees considering the Trump administration's buyout offers, urging them to be wary of a potential deception. Kaine alleges that President Trump lacks the authority to guarantee payments to employees who resign and may not fulfill the promise of compensation through September.
The buyouts, offered to nearly all federal employees including remote workers, are part of the president's push for a return to in-office work. Employees have until February 6th to accept. Kaine, speaking on the Senate floor, characterized the offer as a "gravy train" proposition, promising seven months of pay without work. He questioned the existence of a budget allocation for such payments.
Drawing parallels to Trump's past business dealings, Kaine recounted alleged instances where contractors were not fully compensated after completing work. He advised federal employees to reject the buyout offer, suggesting that Trump might not honor the agreement. He emphasized that the president has no authority to make such an offer.
The White House, responding to the allegations, pointed to a statement by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt defended the buyouts as part of an effort to improve government efficiency and productivity, emphasizing that taxpayers deserve employees who are physically present in federal offices. She characterized the policy as popular outside of Washington D.C. and in line with the president's campaign promises.
Addressing concerns about the buyouts being a method to purge dissenting voices from the government, Leavitt dismissed the claim as false. She reiterated the administration's stance that federal employees should return to the office, with resignation and subsequent compensation as an alternative. She highlighted the low in-office attendance rate among federal employees in D.C. and justified the policy by citing the example of other essential workers who consistently report to their workplaces.
