TRENTON, NJ* – After declaring state officials won’t meddle in federal affairs, when it comes to the illegal criminal alien roundup, New Jersey is now telling workers not to accept a Trump administration buyout.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 11 attorneys general to caution federal employees about the Trump administration’s “deferred resignation” program. This program allegedly offers employees pay through September 30, 2025, if they resign by February 6.

On January 28, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) notified federal employees via email about the program, promising continued payment and benefits, along with an exemption from in-person work requirements until September 30. A follow-up email on January 30 reiterated this offer, encouraging employees to seek more productive opportunities outside of government. OPM set a deadline of February 6 for employees to decide on the offer, warning that those who do not accept may risk losing their positions.

Federal employee unions, such as the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Federation of Federal Employees, have advised their members against accepting the offer. These unions released information cautioning that employees who accept may not be assured of the promised benefits.

The attorneys general from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington joined the lawsuit.

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Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

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With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

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