Trump vows to dismiss federal employees who refuse to return to the office, challenging Biden’s remote work policies.
At a Glance
- Trump plans to challenge Biden’s agreement allowing federal workers to continue hybrid telework through 2029.
- The deal covers about 42,000 employees and requires workers to be in the office 2-5 days per week.
- Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead efforts in cutting spending and improving efficiency.
- AFGE President Everett Kelley supports telework, citing benefits in productivity and efficiency.
- Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser supports federal workers returning to the office to revitalize the city.
Trump’s Challenge to Biden’s Remote Work Policy
President-elect Donald Trump is set to confront a contentious issue as he prepares to take office: the remote work policies for federal employees implemented by the Biden administration. Trump has declared his intention to challenge a recent agreement that allows federal workers to continue hybrid telework through 2029, labeling it a “gift to a union” and “very terrible.”
The agreement in question, made between the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the Social Security Administration (SSA), covers approximately 42,000 employees. It requires workers to be in the office between two to five days per week, a flexibility that Trump and his advisers view as detrimental to government efficiency.
Trump’s position on remote work for federal employees is clear.
He stated, “If people don’t come back to work, come back into the office, they’re going to be dismissed.” This hardline approach reflects Trump’s belief that in-person work is crucial for maintaining productivity and accountability in government operations.
To spearhead this initiative, Trump has appointed Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their primary objective is to cut spending and improve efficiency, with ending remote work as a key strategy. Ramaswamy and Musk believe that requiring federal employees to return to the office full-time will lead to voluntary resignations, effectively reducing the federal workforce without resorting to layoffs.
Union Response and Controversy
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has vowed to fight back against Trump’s plans. AFGE President Everett Kelley staunchly supports telework, citing its benefits in productivity, efficiency, and disaster preparedness. Kelley also refutes claims of widespread federal telework, stating that only 10% of federal workers are fully remote.
The debate over federal remote work policies extends beyond government efficiency to impact the local economy of Washington D.C. Amazingly, Mayor Muriel Bowser – a long-time Trump hater – has expressed support for federal workers returning to the office, viewing it as crucial for revitalizing the city’s downtown area. The influx of federal workers could boost local businesses that have struggled since the onset of the pandemic.
This looks to be another policy issue on which Trump can easily win over Democrats. Can you believe he keeps doing that?
