WASHINGTON — A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against President Donald Trump’s initiative aimed at reducing the number of federal workers through financial buyouts, adding another chapter to a tumultuous situation affecting countless government employees.
The ruling was announced just before a midnight deadline for applications to the voluntary resignation program. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr., based in Boston, ordered the administration to extend the deadline until a court hearing set for Monday afternoon. While O’Toole refrained from commenting on the legality of the program—currently facing challenges from various labor unions—he indicated that he would consider arguments presented at the hearing next week.
In response to the ruling, White House press secretary Karoline Levitt disclosed that over 40,000 federal employees had already expressed interest in leaving their positions in exchange for payments through September 30. Levitt encouraged federal employees to accept what she characterized as a “very generous offer,” asserting that many do not wish to work in the office. “If they want to rip the American people off, then they’re welcome to take this buyout, and we’ll find highly qualified people to replace them,” she stated around the same time as the judge’s decision.
The deferred resignation program is a brainchild of Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who is acting as a principal advisor to Trump. This initiative is part of the president’s broader objective to reshape the federal government, aiming to diminish what his supporters have termed the “deep state” that they believe hindered his prior term. Administration officials assert that this initiative offers a “valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to save taxpayer money.
However, Democrats and labor unions have voiced concerns that employees could face significant risks. In an effort to motivate government workers to exit, the administration reminded them of potential layoffs or furloughs in their future. According to the Office of Personnel Management, most federal agencies are expected to undergo downsizing through reorganizations and workforce reductions. Employees still in their positions will be required to demonstrate “loyalty” and adhere to stricter conduct standards as the administration moves forward.
Additionally, it was noted that some workers could face reclassification that would limit their civil service protections. A communication from the office warned that any employees involved in unlawful or inappropriate behavior would be prioritized for investigations and potential disciplinary actions.
Labor representatives have raised alarms about the program, claiming it lacks Congressional authorization and could leave employees unpaid if the government fails to uphold its commitments. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, has labeled the program as a “scam” rather than a legitimate buyout. According to Kelley, he advises workers against participating, saying, “If it was me, I wouldn’t do it.”
One employee from the Department of Education, speaking anonymously to avoid retaliation, indicated that the administration seems eager for more individuals to sign up but expressed concerns over several dubious clauses in the offer. These include a stipulation that forfeits the right to legal recourse should the government not fulfill its obligations.
Trump placed Musk at the helm of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency to lead efforts to reduce the federal workforce. The initial email inviting applications to the deferred resignation program was aptly titled “Fork in the Road,” reminiscent of a message Musk had sent to Twitter employees after acquiring the platform.
As the deadline approached, Trump administration officials conducted Q&A sessions with employees. Rachel Oglesby, chief of staff at the Department of Education and former employee of the America First Policy Institute, stated that Trump is focused on reducing the federal workforce to fulfill campaign promises for civil service reform.
The ongoing turmoil has led to increased anxiety among federal workers. Questions regarding the program’s legitimacy and the president’s authority to authorize payments have arisen, with some expressing doubts based on Trump’s history with contractors.
Protests have begun to surface outside various federal buildings, highlighting the discontent among workers. Dante O’Hara, a government employee, shared his motivation for speaking out, remarking that hesitancy to act could result in losing their jobs to “loyalists” or “shock troops” favored by the administration. O’Hara noted a widespread feeling of insecurity, with colleagues uncertain about their job stability.
Dan Smith, a Maryland resident whose father was a research scientist for the Department of Agriculture, highlighted the undervalued nature of government jobs, expressing concern that the current agenda may be aimed at dismantling rather than merely downsizing governmental functions.
Mary-Jean Burke, a physical therapist at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Indianapolis, shared her worries that if too many employees accept the offer, critical healthcare services could be compromised. Burke, who also serves as a union representative, depicted an initial enthusiasm for the buyout offer that has since waned after employees perceived the terms as overly optimistic and potentially deceptive.
Burke remarked, “Every day, it’s something,” in reference to the turmoil within the professional landscape. “If he signed up to be a disrupter, he’s doing it.”
