More than 20,000 federal workers have accepted buyouts, according to two Trump administration officials.
After Axios reported on Tuesday that roughly 20,000 had accepted the offer, a White House spokesman disputed that report, telling BI that the actual figure was higher and that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) would provide an update "at the appropriate time."
A spokesperson for OPM told BI that the 20,000 figure "isn't current," though didn't specify when it was from. They said the "number of deferred resignations is rapidly growing, and we're expecting the largest spike to come 24-48 hours before the deadline."
Last week, the Trump administration sent an email to all federal employees offering them full pay and benefits through the end of September 30 if they opted to resign by February 6, two days from now.
The White House has said it expects between 5% and 10% of federal employees to take the deal. With more than 2 million Americans employed by the federal government, that would mean between 100,000 and 200,000 people accepting the buyout.
According to the Partnership for Public Service, more than 100,000 workers voluntarily leave the federal government — whether via retirement or simply by quitting — every year. On average, the nonpartisan nonprofit found an annual attrition rate of 6%, within the range of the White House's buyout goals.
Democrats and labor unions have urged workers against taking the buyout offer, saying that President Donald Trump does not have the authority to make the offer and can't be trusted to follow through. Some federal employees formerly told BI that they're not certain they'd be paid through September if they choose to resign.
"If you accept that offer and resign, he'll stiff you," Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said in a speech on the Senate floor last week, addressing his remarks to federal workers. "Do not be fooled by this guy. You were here before he was here, and you'll be here after he was here."
Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency have touted the merits of the deal on X. Musk has floated using severance packages and early retirement offers to shrink the federal workforce since before Trump took office.
The government is also working hard to sell the offer. Between Wednesday night and Thursday, OPM updated its FAQ page and encouraged civil servants to seek jobs in the private sector or, if that doesn't appeal, use the 8 months to "travel to your dream destination."
