To achieve his goal of reducing the federal workforce, President Donald Trump's administration offered an exceptionally generous "buyout" to any federal workers who resigned or retired before February 6.

Nearly a dozen Democratic state attorneys general have now stepped in, however, and warned federal employees to think twice before accepting Trump's "misleading" severance package, The Hill reported.

The anti-Trump officials asserted that the offers couldn't be trusted because the terms were not guaranteed and that the offers themselves constituted an "attack" on the federal government and its workforce.

Trump's "buyout" offer opposed by some

During President Trump's first week in office, his Office of Personnel Management sent a memo to around 2 million federal workers that encouraged them to resign or retire before Feb. 6 and, in exchange, they would continue to be paid in full and receive all benefits through the end of September. Unsurprisingly, the offer was flatly opposed by federal employee unions.

According to Axios, an estimated 20,000 workers, or approximately 1% of the federal workforce, have already accepted the "buyout," and though that number is expected to rise by Thursday's deadline, it likely won't reach the White House's targeted goal of 5-10%.

However, that number won't increase by much more if a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general led by New York's Letitia James has any influence over federal workers, per The Hill.

"President Trump’s so-called buyout offers are nothing more than the latest attack on federal workers and the services they provide," AG James said in a statement. "These supposed offers are not guaranteed. Federal employees should be cautious and follow the guidance of their unions to protect their rights."

"Attacking our federal workforce will only cause more chaos and confusion for Americans, and will diminish the quality of services our government provides," the notoriously anti-Trump prosecutor added. "We will continue to fight back against any attempt to jeopardize the federal support and programs our states’ residents rely on."

Other Dem AGs issue warnings

AG James is not alone in the effort to convince federal workers to reject President Trump's generous "buyout" that is likely better than any severance package those workers might be offered in the private sector, as she has been joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington.

"Federal employees in Arizona need to understand the buyout offer from the Trump administration is completely unreliable and may be unenforceable," Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said. "My office will do everything in our power to protect Arizona workers and we urge you to follow your union's guidance. This so-called buyout offer is yet another attack that will cripple the critical federal services Arizonans rely on."

California AG Rob Bonta asserted, "The Trump Administration’s so-called buyout offer is a pointed attack aimed at dismantling our federal workforce and sowing chaos for Americans that rely on a functioning government. I urge federal employees to heed warnings from their unions to be very cautious of any buyout offers."

"For those considering the buyout, read the fine print before signing and be cautious, as certain benefits may not be guaranteed," Michigan AG Dana Nessel warned. "Employees who are represented by a union should work with their labor representatives before entering into any contract changes."

An attack on Elon Musk

Then there is New Jersey AG Matthew Platkin, who included tech billionaire and top Trump ally Elon Musk in his broadside against the president's offered severance for federal workers.

"President Trump has allowed an unelected billionaire with no constitutional authority to intimidate the civil servants who keep our government running in an attempt to push them out of their jobs," Platkin argued. "Federal workers have protections that do not change when a new President takes office. I urge all New Jerseyans employed by the federal government to closely scrutinize the 'buyout' offer they have received."