A historic resignation awaits
This week, the United States will witness something it has never seen before: more than 100,000 federal workers will quit on Tuesday. It’s not a normal turnover. It is the largest mass resignation in American history, and it’s occurring at a time when the government is already strained.
The resignations are part of a Trump administration effort to decrease the size of the federal workforce. For most workers, however, the decision to leave has been driven by months of fear, uncertainty, and anxiety.
One veteran FEMA worker described it this way: “Federal workers stay for the mission. When that mission is taken away, when they’re scapegoated, when their employment security is at risk, and when their fragile sense of work-life balance is destroyed, they leave.”
And now they’re leaving—by the tens of thousands.
Why is this happening?
At its core is a government spending crisis. Congress has through Tuesday to sign up for new spending. Without it, the U.S. will experience a government shutdown.
As a precautionary step, the White House ordered agencies to draw up contingency plans to carry out mass dismissals in case Congress fails to approve new spending. In the meantime, the Trump administration sped up its lagging resignation programme, which has been gradually pushing federal workers into retirement.
Harness these two forces, and the result is clear: a record wave of exodus which will leave large vacancies in federal agencies.
The human side of the story
Behind the headlines are human beings who dedicated their lives to public service. Most federal employees don’t hang around for the checks—government salaries often lag behind the private sector. They stay because they are committed to their mission, whether it’s disaster relief, public health, environmental protection, or national defense.
But now, many say that they feel battered, undervalued, and drained.
They say they have a “culture of fear and intimidation” in the workplace. Others say the financial uncertainty and the endless political wars made it impossible to work well at their job.
For most, this week’s mass resignations are not a choice but a last option.
Trump’s last-minute meeting
Just in case the tension was already high enough, Donald Trump is set to meet with Congressional leaders on Monday, a day before the resignations.
The meeting is being sold as a make-or-break effort to avoid a shutdown. Democrats and Republicans will have representation at the bargaining table. Whether or not they’re able to come together on a spending plan is to be determined.
If not, the government will close partially in business—on top of its loss of more than 100,000 workers.
Other stories put the pressure on
This moment in history is not singular. The Trump administration is also struggling with some other crises:
James Comey Indictment: Critics of President Trump argue the indictment of former FBI director James Comey is part of an attempt to “rewrite history” and target political adversaries.
Eric Adams Drops Out: New York Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from his re-election campaign amid corruption charges, which were then dropped by Trump staff.
ICE Detention Conditions: Watchdogs report children in immigration detention are being denied clean water, sleep, and proper medical care.
All these stories add to the broader atmosphere of unrest and violence in and around Washington today.
Here is an interesting read: Is Trump allowed to push Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his opponents?
What this means for everyday Americans
You may wonder: How does it affect me?
The truth is, the absence of so many federal workers has potential effects on ordinary people. It may hold up everything from disaster relief to Social Security checks. It may affect benefits for veterans, food safety checks, and airport security.
In short, the services that you may not think of every day but rely on can be impacted.
Read this later: Peter Navarro slams Fed despite interest rate cut
What happens next?
For now, there are more questions than answers. Will Congress and Trump succeed in averting a shutdown? Will further resignations be submitted after this round? And what will happen to the federal workforce in the long term?
One thing is sure: this week is a turning point. Over 100,000 public servants are resigning, along with decades of experience and service.
For the staff, it is the end of an acrimonious chapter. For the country, it is the start of a new one, unseen.
Read this later: Government shutdown fight goes to the Senate as Houses passes funding bill
