White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed claims that the Trump administration’s federal worker buyout offer is a tactic to purge critics from the government. The offer, sent to federal employees this week, allows them to resign by February 6 with continued pay and benefits until September.

Leavitt defended the program, calling it “overwhelmingly popular” outside Washington, D.C., and emphasized it is a way to encourage workers to return to their jobs. She stated, “If they don’t want to return, they have the option to resign.”

The plan, part of Trump’s strategy to cut spending and ensure workers return to their offices, has been criticized as an effort to remove those who don’t agree with the president.

The buyout offer is available to all full-time federal workers, except those in national security, the military, and the Postal Service. Employees have been asked to respond if they wish to resign. Critics, including President Everett Kelley, argue the program will disrupt government services and create chaos for citizens who rely on federal support.