(5MinNewsBreak.com) – Blasting the outgoing lame-duck administration for attempting to tie his hands, President-elect Donald Trump took aim at Joe Biden’s “very terrible” “gift to a union.”
Specifically, Trump slammed Biden’s remote work policies by vowing to end the “ridiculous” telework agreement for federal employees.
Trump’s bold stance sets the stage for a heated battle over government efficiency and taxpayer dollars.
In a recent statement, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s five-year telework agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the Social Security Administration (SSA).
This deal covers around 42,000 employees and allows federal workers to continue hybrid telework through 2029.
“We’re talking about a friendly takeover, a friendly transition as they like to say, this is a friendly transition, and it is. But there are two events that took place that I think are very terrible,” Trump declared, highlighting the remote work issue as a main concern.
Trump’s plan to challenge this agreement in court has sparked a fierce debate over government efficiency and the future of federal employment.
The President-elect’s newly appointed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leaders Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy seek to slash spending and improve productivity.
“Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome: If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them for the COVID-era privilege of staying home,” stated Musk and Ramaswamy.
However, the AFGE is preparing to fight back against Trump’s proposed changes.
AFGE President Everett Kelley defended telework, claiming productivity, efficiency and disaster preparedness benefits.
Kelley also dispelled what he called “rumors” of widespread federal telework, stating that only 10% of federal workers are fully remote.
Trump’s advisers predict that ending remote work will lead to mass resignations and significant reductions in the federal workforce.
This aligns with their goal of streamlining government operations and potentially saving trillions in taxpayer dollars.
“Just tell them they have to come back five days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” Ramaswamy suggested.
Support for Trump’s initiative extends beyond his administration. Democrat Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser supports having federal workers return to the office as a crucial step in revitalizing the nation’s capital.
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