Attorney General Letitia James, along with a coalition of 11 other attorneys general, is leading the charge in issuing a strong warning to federal employees about a "deferred resignation" program recently unveiled by the Trump administration. According to a press release from James's office, the program promises federal workers payment through September 30 if they choose to resign by the fast-approaching deadline on Thursday.
However, despite assurances of continued pay and benefits, Attorney General James has warned that these offers are far from a sure thing. In a statement, she criticized the offer as "nothing more than the latest attack on federal workers and the services they provide." Her message was clear: federal employees should seek counsel and heed the advice of their unions to safeguard their rights. Unions themselves have already started to vigorously warn against accepting the option to quickly opt out with the promise of delayed departure, as detailed by the Office of the New York State Attorney General. The American Federation of Government Employees and the National Federation of Federal Employees both have disseminated advisories to their members, highlighting that guaranteed benefits after acceptance are more myth than reality.
The controversial program came to light in an email distributed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on January 28, which outlined that federal employees could continue to receive their pay and benefits without the necessity to fulfill in-person work requirements, should they decide to exit their positions. This initial email was followed by another on January 30, which urged employees to explore "higher productivity" opportunities beyond government work. This message was appended with a stern warning, indicating that job security was not a guarantee for those who did not take up the resignation offer by February 6.
This isn't the first time Attorney General James has had to step into the fray to defend resources and services critical for New Yorkers. Her previous actions include leading a coalition of 22 attorneys general in legal action to block the Trump administration from implementing a widespread funding freeze to states. Thanks to their efforts, a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order on January 31, stalling the freeze's advancement. This warning to federal employees is the latest step in a broader defense to ensure the stability and quality of services that people heavily rely on.
Joining New York in this cautionary initiative are the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington. Together, they present a united front against what they perceive as a veiled attempt to undermine the federal workforce and, by extension, the citizens who depend on their work.
