A federal judge in Boston has extended his suspension of the Trump administration’s unprecedented proposal to encourage millions of federal employees to resign until he addresses the issues raised. U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. had temporarily halted the administration’s initiative to provide mass buyouts to federal workers just hours before the deadline for their acceptance. Following a hearing on Monday, he declared that the suspension would remain in effect until he renders a decision on a preliminary injunction in the case. Elena Goldstein, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, requested additional time for the court’s consideration of the merits, emphasizing concerns about the pressure stemming from the looming deadline that employees are facing. Goldstein highlighted the potential for irreparable harm and confusion among workers about the implications of their decisions, criticizing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for its evolving approach. In response, Justice Department attorney Eric Hamilton argued that President Trump’s campaign pledge to reduce the federal workforce necessitated the administration’s actions, providing an alternative for employees who may be disappointed by the changes. The unions, as outlined in court documents, vehemently opposed the OPM’s “Fork Directive,” denouncing it as an overreaching and arbitrary demand for mass resignations. The OPM’s announced “deferred resignation” program, introduced in the previous month, promises workers the option to resign immediately while receiving pay through September; however, legal experts have raised doubts about the program’s legitimacy. Education Department staff were cautioned about the potential cancellation of the plan, leaving them uncertain about their future employment status. A senior administration official revealed that 60,000 individuals had agreed to the deal. Originally set for last Thursday, the deadline for the buyout offer was extended by Judge O’Toole following the union’s request for a restraining order. The union’s lawsuit challenging the program argued that the Trump administration lacked the necessary legal authority to implement such buyouts. The White House celebrated the extension of the deadline as a victory, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressing gratitude to the judge for allowing more federal workers to consider taking advantage of the “generous, once-in-a-lifetime offer” by the Administration.
