Trump to federal workers: Return to office 'or be terminated' | 29 Jan 2025 | President Trump on Wednesday warned that federal workers will have to show up to the office "or be terminated," framing his administration’s so-called buyout offers to 2 million employees as an effort to shrink the government. "We're requiring them to show up to work or be terminated," Trump said in remarks from the East Room before signing an immigration bill into law. "We think a very substantial number of people will not show up to work, and therefore our government will get smaller and more efficient," Trump added. "And that's what we've been looking to do for many, many decades, frankly."