The Trump administration latest: Buyouts for federal workers, funding freeze blocked, executive order on federal gender-affirming care
The Trump administration continues its efforts to reshape the federal government and spending.
The Trump administration continues its efforts to reshape the federal government and spending.
The Trump administration continues its efforts to reshape the federal government and spending.
Federal Employee Buyouts
The Trump administration is offering buyouts to federal workers as part of an effort to downsize the government.
An email reportedly sent to millions of employees Tuesday is offering to buy them out if they resign by next Thursday. Those who choose to leave will receive about eight months of pay.
It's unclear how the buyouts would affect the government and economy. from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union said the purge will "cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government...It is clear that the Trump administration's goal is to turn the federal government into a toxic environment where workers cannot stay even if they want to."
A memo detailing the plan also required federal employees to return to the office full-time, demanding "excellence at every level" and "enhanced suitability and conduct from employees moving forward."
Federal Funding Freeze Blocked
A federal court stopped the Trump administration's funding freeze Tuesday, but the impact of the directive is still being felt.
The Trump administration said the freeze would not affect Americans reliant on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, student loans, and food stamps.
But programs trying to access Medicaid and Head Start funds online were reportedly locked out Tuesday, leaving some scrambling to cover payroll, rent, or stay open or closed because they could not pay staff.
blocking the funding freeze of potentially trillions of dollars lasts until Monday.
Democrats, who say the move is unconstitutional, are holding an emergency meeting Wednesday.
Executive Order on Federal Gender-Affirming Care
President Donald Trump signed Tuesday cutting federal support for gender-affirming care for children and some adults.
The order applies to any person under the age of 19 and is part of Trump's latest move to roll back protections for transgender people in the U.S.
It directs federally-run insurance programs, including Medicaid and those for military families, to exclude coverage.
Trump condemned federal participation in what he called "barbaric medical procedures," including "chemical castration and medical mutilation of innocent children."
Trump's characterization is one most medical professionals condemn.
The order also directs the Justice Department to investigate states that support care and pursue litigation and legislation to oppose the practice.
Trump is set to sign into law the Wednesday, the first legislation of his second term, making people here illegally eligible for detention and deportation if they're accused of a crime, regardless of whether they're found guilty.