In a significant turn of events, GOP officials have privately acknowledged that President Donald Trump's federal buyout plan for federal employees may violate federal law. The plan, which promises guaranteed pay until September 30, 2025, is set to exceed the mid-March funding deadline and comes with an estimated cost of $50 billion for just 6.5 months of pay [a4bd662b].
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has raised alarms about the legality of the scheme, warning that it could undermine the integrity of federal employment. Unions representing federal workers have criticized the buyout plan as an attack on civil service, arguing that it jeopardizes essential government services [a4bd662b].
Legal experts have pointed out that the plan appears to violate the Anti-Deficiency Act, which prohibits federal agencies from spending money that has not been appropriated by Congress. An email from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), titled 'Fork in the Road,' has further fueled concerns about the plan's legality and its implications for federal employees [a4bd662b].
The deadline for acceptance of the buyout offer is set for February 6, 2025, raising questions about the rushed nature of the proposal. Historical context indicates that previous buyout initiatives have led to instability within federal agencies, prompting experts to argue that this plan could have detrimental effects on government operations [a4bd662b].
This development comes on the heels of Trump's recent directive to freeze federal grants and loans, which has already sparked concerns regarding its impact on employment and economic stability [b93b48d6]. As the situation unfolds, the intersection of Trump's buyout plan and his broader federal spending policies will be critical in determining the future of federal employment and services in the U.S.