US Government’s ‘Golden Handshake’ Offer to Federal Employees Expires on February 6

The deadline for federal employees to accept the U.S. government’s “Golden Handshake” offer expired at midnight on February 6. Last week, President Donald Trump offered 2 million civilian federal employees the opportunity to resign in exchange for 8 months of salary and other benefits.

The offer, communicated through emails sent to federal employees, included a proposal to receive 8 months’ worth of salary in exchange for leaving their jobs, with the decision to be made by the specified deadline of February 6.

U.S. media reports suggest that the Trump administration estimates about 10% of federal employees—roughly 200,000 individuals—could accept the offer, resulting in a savings of approximately $100 billion for the government. According to an official, at least 40,000 employees have already accepted the package as of Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management referred to the offer as a rare opportunity, warning that employees who do not accept the offer could still face the risk of losing their jobs, as the administration is planning widespread layoffs soon.

Federal unions have raised concerns about the legal validity of the offer and the Trump administration’s ability to follow through on its promises, urging employees not to accept the package.

**CIA Workforce Targeted for ‘Golden Handshake’ Offer**

In a related move, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has extended the “Golden Handshake” offer to its entire workforce, aiming to reshape the agency according to Trump administration priorities. According to a spokesperson for the CIA, the voluntary separation package aligns with the new policies of the Trump administration, which has already sidelined or dismissed hundreds of government employees.

The goal is to reduce the size of the bureaucracy and replace those employees with Trump loyalists.