A federal judge in Boston has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s buyout offer for more than two million federal employees. The decision came just hours before workers had to choose between resigning or staying in their jobs. The ruling allows labor unions to challenge the plan’s legality before it takes effect.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge George O’Toole issued a temporary restraining order, delaying the deadline and setting a Monday hearing to review the case. The Trump administration argued that extending the deadline would create confusion and disrupt government operations, particularly for employees who had already accepted the buyout.
Despite the court’s ruling, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt welcomed the delay. She said the extension gives more federal workers the chance to accept what she called a “once-in-a-lifetime offer”. Unions strongly oppose the plan, calling it an unlawful attempt to push out employees viewed as obstacles to Trump’s agenda. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, vowed to continue fighting for workers’ rights.
Trump’s plan offered federal employees who resigned by February 6 a buyout of eight months’ salary and benefits through September. However, union leaders warned that the plan lacks key details. Workers remain unsure whether they would still be required to perform government duties, whether they could work in the private sector while receiving payments, or how the buyout would affect pensions and healthcare benefits.
The situation remains unstable, as Congress has not approved federal agency funding beyond March 14, making the promised payments uncertain. The administration has also warned that employees who reject the buyout could face furloughs, as most federal agencies are set to downsize. Only the Defense Department would be exempt.
Those who choose to stay in their positions will be required to return to in-person work, adhere to stricter performance standards, and prove they are loyal, reliable, and trustworthy. Critics argue that these conditions are meant to pressure employees to quit, allowing the administration to replace them with staff more aligned with Trump’s policies.
As of Thursday morning, only 40,000 federal employees had accepted the buyout, representing just 2% of the workforce. This falls well below the administration’s goal of reducing the workforce by 5-10%.
With the program now under legal review, the future of federal employees remains uncertain. The outcome of Monday’s hearing will determine whether the buyout plan proceeds or faces further legal challenges.
