A federal judge in the United States has issued a temporary injunction against a buyout program aimed at encouraging federal employees to resign, part of a broader initiative by President Donald Trump to reduce the size of the government. The ruling, made by US District Judge George O’Toole, comes just before a deadline set for federal workers to accept the buyout offer, which was scheduled for 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Thursday.
Judge O’Toole’s decision allows for more time to consider the arguments presented by labor unions representing nearly 800,000 federal employees who have challenged the buyout package. The court in Massachusetts is set to hear full arguments on the case starting Monday.
The buyout offer, which includes up to eight months of severance pay, has been met with resistance from unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). Critics argue that the program could undermine the stability of the federal workforce, which is essential for the smooth operation of government services, particularly during political transitions.
In a speech shortly after beginning his second term, Trump expressed his intent to eliminate what he referred to as "Biden bureaucrats," indicating a desire to purge the federal workforce of those he perceives as obstacles to his administration’s agenda. White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt has encouraged federal workers to take advantage of the buyout, suggesting that those who resist returning to the office may be better off accepting the offer.
Reports indicate that around 40,000 federal employees, or about 2 percent of the civilian workforce, have accepted the buyout. However, many federal workers report feeling anxious and uncertain about their job security amid the administration’s push to reduce government size. A Treasury Department executive, speaking anonymously, revealed that many employees are grappling with difficult decisions and feel pressured by the limited time to respond to the buyout offer.
The Trump administration has warned that employees who do not accept the buyout could face job losses in the future, particularly as some departments, like the Department of Education, have indicated that staff paychecks could be terminated at any time. The ongoing legal battle over the buyout program highlights the tension between the administration’s efforts to reshape the federal workforce and the rights of civil servants to secure their employment.