Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with 11 other attorneys general, has issued a warning to federal employees regarding the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" program. This initiative offers federal workers pay through September 30, 2025, if they resign by February 6.
"I urge Minnesotans who work for the federal government to be extremely cautious when it comes to the Trump Administration's buyout offer," said Attorney General Ellison. He emphasized that the benefits offered are not guaranteed and advised employees to consult their unions for guidance.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) informed millions of federal employees about this program via email on January 28. The message promised continued pay and benefits and exemption from in-person work until September 30 for those who resigned. A follow-up email on January 30 encouraged employees to seek "higher productivity" jobs outside of government and warned that those who did not resign might not retain their positions.
Unions representing federal employees quickly responded with cautionary advice against accepting the offer. The American Federation of Government Employees and the National Federation of Federal Employees both highlighted that there were no guarantees for those who accepted.
The coalition issuing this warning includes attorneys general from New York, Hawaii, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, Washington, Michigan, Arizona, Maryland, California, and Delaware alongside Minnesota's Attorney General Ellison.