DOGE: Government employees who take buyout can go on vacation or 'watch movies and chill'

President Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) said federal employees who take the government buyout option can take a vacation or “watch movies and chill.”

“Answering the most common question about the Deferred Resignation office,” DOGE posted to the social platform X. “Can take the vacation you always wanted, or just watch movies and chill, while receiving your full government pay and benefits.”

The Trump administration announced Tuesday it was offering all 2 million federal employees a buyout if they do not intend to return to work in person later in the year.

Federal employees received an email informing them that they can retain benefits and pay through September if they resign by Feb. 6.

The offer sparked concern and criticism as questions loom about what the buyouts mean for the Trump-era workforce.

Elon Musk, who was tapped to lead DOGE, was tasked with reducing the federal workforce. The emails sent to employees were similar to ones that were sent in 2022 to Twitter employees after he bought the social media platform, which he rebranded as X.

In the post online, DOGE included a screenshot of a frequently asked questions page detailing the “deferred resignation period.”

It said except in rare cases, federal employees are not expected to work if they take the buyout.

The offer was extended to all full-time federal employees, excluding military personnel, U.S. Postal Service workers and positions related to immigration enforcement and national security.

The email sent to employees said if they take the buyout they will have a “dignified, fair departure” and that the Trump administration would thank them for their service to the country. If employees don’t choose the offer, their roles are not necessarily safe.

“If you choose to remain in your current position, we thank you for your renewed focus on serving the American people,” the email said. “At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position.”

The White House expects 5 to 10 percent of federal workers to take the buyout, which could amount to hundreds of thousands of workers.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked if the plan was to “purge people who don’t agree” with Trump. She said that was “absolutely false.”

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