Noem presents buyout offers for DHS employees ahead of workforce reduction

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday night offered buyout options to department employees, as the Trump administration continues to drastically reduce the size and scope of the federal workforce. 

The internal memo, which was reviewed by Politico, does not indicate how wide the workforce reduction would be, but it could include employees at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  

DHS employees considering leaving the department early can choose among three buyout options: A cash incentive to retire early or quit, or a deferred resignation with a brief period of paid administrative leave.

"[The buyout options] reflect our commitment to aligning our workforce with the evolving mission needs while supporting the personal and professional goals of our dedicated employees," Noem wrote in the memo.

The offer comes after Noem stated at a Cabinet meeting last month that she was looking to eliminate FEMA, which has been accused of improperly spending money to house illegal migrants, instead of using it to respond to natural disasters.

Employees have until April 14 to opt into the buyout option. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.