Federal workers are calling out a new buyout plan from the Trump administration, comparing it to Elon Musk’s controversial moves at Twitter. The plan, announced via email, offers federal employees a chance to resign with benefits by simply responding with the word “resign” before February 6.

The email, sent to nearly all federal workers, promises a “dignified, fair departure” with pay and benefits intact until September 2025, even if employees aren’t required to work. While the offer might sound tempting, critics argue it could lead to a talent drain and higher costs for the government.

The similarities between Trump’s email and Musk’s 2022 Twitter memo are hard to ignore. Both feature nearly identical “fork in the road” subject lines and emphasize the importance of keeping only the “best” workers. However, Musk’s plan saw hundreds of Twitter employees resign, raising concerns about how this might play out on a federal scale.

On Reddit, federal employees slammed the plan as short-sighted, with many pointing to understaffed departments that can’t afford to lose more workers. One commenter, a government IT worker, warned, “Losing your IT support is a very efficient way to cripple an org.” Others worried about the long-term costs of replacing experienced workers with contractors, who often charge more for the same work.

The email also hinted at stricter performance standards and potential job cuts for those who decline the buyout, leaving many workers feeling uneasy about their future.

Despite the backlash, the Trump administration remains optimistic, expecting up to 10% of federal employees to take the offer. Whether this move will streamline the government or create more chaos remains to be seen—but for now, federal workers aren’t holding back their criticism.