Administration officials have been increasing their pressure on workers to leave, saying that furloughs or layoffs could come next.

The Trump administration’s offer to pay federal employees through the end of September if they agree to leave by the end of February has attracted more than 40,000 sign-ups as of Wednesday — about 2% of the federal civilian workforce.

Millions of U.S. government workers face a Thursday deadline to tell the Trump administration whether they will accept a buyout offer or remain in their jobs, but still face the possibility of being thrown out of work if they decide to stay.