Today marks a historic moment. About 100,000 federal government workers are officially quitting their jobs. It’s the largest single-day resignation in American history.
This isn’t your typical “I quit” moment. These workers took a deal offered by the Trump administration earlier this year. The program was called the Deferred Resignation Program, or DRP for short. Think of it like this: the government told workers they could leave their jobs, get paid through September, and skip the stress of actually working those final months.
The Numbers Behind the Exits
In total, around 154,000 federal employees signed up for this deal. Most are leaving today, September 30th. Some others will head out by the end of the year.
The Office of Personnel Management says this will save taxpayers about $28 billion every year. That’s real money coming back to American families. The program itself cost about $14.8 billion to pay these workers while they were on leave. But the government argues the long-term savings make it worth it.
“No previous administration has been even close to saving American taxpayers this amount of money in such a short amount of time,” said McLaurine Pinover, a spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management.
Why This Matters to Limited Government Supporters
For conservatives who believe government should be smaller and more efficient, this is significant news. The federal workforce has grown too large over the years. Many believe it wastes taxpayer money and creates red tape that holds back businesses and families.
The Trump administration, working with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been trying to cut waste since January. Musk first promised to find $2 trillion in government waste. He later changed that number to $150 billion. Either way, the goal is clear: do more with less.
By the end of this year, about 300,000 fewer people will work for the federal government compared to January. That’s the biggest single-year drop since World War II. For taxpayers who see their hard-earned money go to Washington, this represents real reform.
The Other Side of the Story
Critics worry these cuts go too far. Some federal workers say the work environment became filled with “fear” and “madness.” One employee compared the cuts to “throwing acid on a flower garden.” They argue important government services will suffer when experienced workers leave.
Workers in agencies like USAID, the Treasury Department, and offices focused on diversity programs were hit especially hard. Some employees said they felt scared and threatened by the buyout emails. For many, taking the deal meant avoiding the anxiety of possibly getting fired later.
The Partnership of Public Service estimated that hiring, firing, and managing all these workforce changes could cost taxpayers around $135 billion. That’s a different picture than the savings the administration promises.
What Happens Next
This mass resignation happens on the same day Congress faces a deadline to fund the government. If lawmakers don’t reach a deal, the government could shut down. The White House has already warned agencies to prepare for even more cuts if that happens.
Federal agencies are already dealing with fewer workers. Now they face the challenge of doing their jobs with 300,000 fewer employees by year’s end. Some services might slow down. Some offices might struggle to help people who need assistance.
What Conservatives Can Do
Supporters of limited government should watch how these cuts affect actual services. Do things get better or worse? Does the government work more efficiently with fewer people? These are real tests of conservative principles.
Stay informed about which agencies face cuts and which ones don’t. Contact your representatives in Congress. Tell them you support efforts to reduce government waste and lower spending. Ask them to make sure the remaining government workers focus on essential services that truly need federal involvement.
You can also support organizations that track government spending and efficiency. Keep the pressure on Washington to respect taxpayer dollars.
The private sector has faced similar challenges with efficiency and layoffs. Many companies have learned to do more with less. The question now is whether government can do the same. Today’s mass resignation is a major step in finding out.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
