Employees of the federal government, including those here in Maine, are being told that layoffs are ‘likely’ if too few choose to quit.

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With all the uncertainty we've faced lately, Mainers know the feeling all too well. Now, with news of potential layoffs, it seems that uncertainty is continuing at the federal level too.

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Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
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Layoffs across the federal government are ‘likely’ after a deferred resignation offer expires on Thursday, February 6th.

The Washington Post reports that Erv Koehler, an assistant commissioner of the General Services Administration, told staff that its Federal Acquisition Service is being asked to cut its program by 50 percent, aligning with management’s goal to halve the agency’s staff.

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This initiative is seen as part of President Donald Trump’s plan for a smaller and more loyal federal workforce.

The email suggests administration officials fear that few career civil servants will accept the offer to resign while continuing to receive pay through September.

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Elon Musk, now leading the Department of Government Efficiency, has backed a deferred resignation offer for federal workers.

While Musk predicted that 5 to 10 percent of eligible workers would accept the offer, Democratic lawmakers and unions have urged employees to reject it, calling it a scam. There are over 11,000 federal civilian employees in Maine, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

Read More: Maine Residents Advised to Remove This From Their Wallets 

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And there you have it—federal layoffs, according to an internal memo, are reportedly ‘likely’ if too few employees voluntarily resign.

What are your thoughts on this situation? We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to join the conversation by messaging us on the app.

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Credit: Canva / Getty Stock
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The Official U.S. Government 'Do Not Travel' List

Traveling to unique and exotic places rather than the usual tourist traps can be quite an adventure. However, it's crucial to research your destination thoroughly.

While every trip comes with some degree of risk, requiring you to mind your surroundings and take some precautions, there are some places you just shouldn't visit, as they are not worth the risk.

The United States government has a convenient website that helps by listing travel advisories they have in place for countries all over the world, ranking the risk from Level 1 through Level 4.

If a country is issued a Level 4 advisory, you should NOT travel there. As of November 2024, the countries below are on the 'Do Not Travel' list.

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