(NewsNation) — Approximately 75,000 federal employees have accepted a “deferred resignation” offer spearheaded by the Trump administration as it looks to reduce the federal workforce.
The Office of Personnel Management confirmed the final buyout tally to NewsNation after the offer’s deadline was reached Wednesday night.
U.S. District Court Judge George O’Toole declined to further pause a federal government buyout program, enabling the government to forge ahead with its “Fork in the Road” program.
O’Toole had extended the deadline for federal employees to decide whether to accept the buyout, which gives employees eight months of pay and benefits if they resign.
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In his ruling, O’Toole found unions that had sued over the directive did not have standing.
The decision allows the Trump administration to enforce the deadline, which was originally planned for Feb. 6. That deadline was extended as O’Toole weighed a bid by unions to temporarily block the OPM from carrying out the offer entirely.
The buyout is part of President Donald Trump’s aim to reduce the federal workforce and aligns with plans to cut staffing for U.S. aid projects worldwide as part of the administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID.
The Hill contributed to this report.
