A federal judge has authorized the Trump administration to proceed with its voluntary resignation program, resulting in approximately 75,000 federal employees—about 3% of the 2.4 million civilian federal workforce—accepting the buyout offer. This initiative is part of President Donald Trump's broader strategy to downsize the federal government, aiming for a 5% to 10% reduction in personnel. 

The program, developed in collaboration with Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency, offers employees eight months of pay and benefits in exchange for their resignation. Participants will receive their salaries through September without being required to work. 

Despite the program's implementation, it has faced legal challenges from federal employee unions. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) filed a lawsuit alleging the program's illegality and expressing concerns over its potential impact on government services. However, the court ruled that the unions lacked the legal standing to sue, allowing the program to proceed. 

The administration's target of a 5% to 10% reduction in the federal workforce was not met, as only about 3% accepted the buyout. This shortfall may lead to further measures to achieve the desired downsizing.