Noem offers DHS employees voluntary exit options

Secretary Kristi Noem of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly offered employees three options to voluntarily exit their positions in an effort to reduce the size of the federal government’s second-largest department. The options were outlined in an email titled “Reshaping the DHS Workforce” and obtained by Politico and Axios.

According to the email, employees have until April 14 to apply for deferred resignation, which involves a brief period of paid administrative leave to complete key tasks, submit retirement documentation, and prepare for departure. The second option is a buyout, where employees would receive a payment of $25,000 or an amount equal to severance pay if lower. The third option is an early retirement program offering reduced pensions and healthcare benefits.

Noem stated in the email, “By offering these options, we intend to provide flexibility for employees who may be considering a change, retirement, or new career opportunities while also supporting the Department’s operational readiness.” A DHS spokesperson emphasized that the voluntary exit offers are part of the administration’s commitment to aligning the workforce with evolving mission needs and supporting employees’ personal and professional goals.

The spokesperson added that every dollar spent and position filled at DHS should be focused on the core mission of securing the homeland and keeping the American people safe. Noem is aiming to reduce the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) by up to a third, and if the voluntary offers do not adequately shrink the agency, “reduction in force” notices could be issued next.

At a Cabinet meeting last month, Noem mentioned plans to “eliminate” the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as the administration moves to return disaster response powers to the states. It remains unclear if Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will also be impacted by cuts as the administration focuses on border security and deporting criminal illegal immigrants.

The memo did not exempt any agencies from the buyout offer, according to Politico. Fox News Digital reached out to DHS for comment on the reported employee exit plans. Danielle Wallace, a breaking news and politics reporter at Fox News Digital, contributed to this report.