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Trump deferred resignation program for federal workers
The gist
GAO says the US spent about $9.5 billion paying federal employees not to work in 2025.
The watchdog ties most of that cost to the deferred resignation program.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2025The Trump administration offered roughly 2 million federal workers the option to resign while continuing to receive full pay and benefits through Sept. 30.
- Feb 6, 2025Workers had to opt in to the deferred resignation program by this date.
- Sep 15, 2026A GAO report found paid administrative leave use rose 435% from 2023 to 2025, with salary costs up sixfold, and estimated $6.7 billion tied to the deferred resignation program.