WASHINGTON — On Thursday, a federal judge granted a temporary injunction against President Donald Trump’s plan designed to persuade federal employees to resign through financial incentives. This ruling adds yet another layer to the ongoing complexities affecting a vast number of government workers.
The judge’s decision came just hours before the cutoff for employees to enroll in the deferred resignation program. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston mandated that the administration push back the deadline until after a court hearing scheduled for Monday afternoon. Although Judge O’Toole refrained from commenting on the program’s legality—an initiative facing opposition from multiple labor unions—he expressed his intention to review arguments next week.
In response to the ruling, White House press secretary Karoline Levitt announced that over 40,000 federal employees had shown interest in resigning for financial incentives valid until September 30.
“We encourage federal workers to take advantage of this generous offer,” she stated shortly after the judge’s ruling. “If they choose not to continue working, they can accept this buyout, and we will recruit highly qualified individuals to fill their positions.”
The deferred resignation program was proposed by Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and one of Trump’s key advisers. This initiative aligns with the Republican president’s goal of restructuring the federal government, aiming to reduce what his supporters refer to as the “deep state” that they believe hindered his initial administration. Administration officials argue that this plan will save taxpayer money by providing employees with “a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Read More: Should Federal Workers Accept Trump’s Buyout Offer?
Concerns from Democrats and Unions About Worker Risks
The administration ramped up its pressure on federal employees to accept the offer on Wednesday, cautioning that layoffs or furloughs might be on the horizon.
“Most federal agencies are likely to face downsizing due to restructuring and reductions in force,” read a communication from the Office of Personnel Management, a key player in Musk’s downsizing efforts.
The message also indicated that those who remain employed would be expected to demonstrate “loyalty” and would be held to stricter codes of conduct moving forward. Some employees could also see their civil service protections diminished.
“Employees engaging in unlawful or inappropriate behavior will be subject to prioritized investigations and disciplinary actions, including possible termination,” the communication cautioned.
Democrats have warned employees against opting for the deferred resignation program, arguing that it lacks Congressional approval and could jeopardize their financial security.
“This is a scam and not a legitimate buyout,” asserted Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees.
Kelley advised employees, “If I were in their shoes, I wouldn’t go for it.”
A Department of Education employee, who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, observed that while the administration seems eager for employees to sign the agreement, there are several troubling aspects, including a clause that waives the right to sue if the government fails to meet its obligations.
Trump Official Defends the Initiative
Musk, appointed to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, is overseeing a broad initiative aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce. The initial announcement of the deferred resignation program was titled “Fork in the Road,” echoing a communication Musk previously sent to Twitter employees following his acquisition of the platform.
Administration officials have organized Q&A sessions for employees as the application deadline approaches.
Rachel Oglesby, chief of staff at the Department of Education and a former employee at the America First Policy Institute, stated that Trump is committed to downsizing the federal workforce.
“Many have raised questions about whether this initiative is authentic or a trap,” she said in a recording obtained by The Associated Press. “It’s exactly what it appears to be. It’s one of the various strategies he’s employing to fulfill his campaign promise of reforming civil service and altering D.C.”
The topic was also discussed during a meeting with staff from the Department of Agriculture, where Marlon Taubenheim, a human resources official, acknowledged that “these are very challenging times” and conveyed that “there’s a lot of stress.”
“Unfortunately, we don’t possess all the answers,” he remarked.
Jacqueline Ponti-Lazaruk, another agency leader, mentioned that employees “probably didn’t have the time they would have preferred to make such a significant decision.”
For those who remain, she added, “we’ll just keep moving ahead.”
Despite reassurances from officials, anxiety lingers among various agencies. Some federal employees express skepticism about the legitimacy of the offers, questioning Trump’s authority to allocate funds, while others recall his history of financial defaults as a real estate mogul.
Musk’s Plans Ignite Protests in D.C.
Protests have erupted outside federal buildings, including a demonstration at the Office of Personnel Management on Tuesday.
“I’m taking a risk and speaking out boldly to motivate more federal workers to do the same,” declared Dante O’Hara, a government employee. “If we don’t, we risk losing our jobs and seeing loyalists or those who will serve as their enforcers take our places.”
Historically, government roles have been perceived as stable; however, O’Hara expressed a growing unease among his peers. The prevailing sentiment is, “I don’t know if I’ll be here tomorrow because we’re uncertain about what’s next.”
Dan Smith, a Maryland resident whose father worked as a research scientist at the Department of Agriculture, lamented that federal employees are “so undervalued and taken for granted.”
“It’s one thing to downsize the government; it’s another to attempt to dismantle it,” Smith asserted. “That’s what’s happening, and it’s alarming and unacceptable.”
Mary-Jean Burke, a physical therapist at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Indianapolis, expressed concerns that excessive resignations could jeopardize healthcare services.
Burke, who also serves as a union official, noted that skepticism has increased regarding the buyout offer.
“Initially, many were eager to leave,” she said. “But then they saw a social media post from DOGE, suggesting they could ‘take the vacation they’ve always wanted or simply relax while receiving full government pay and benefits.’”
This message backfired, as it appeared “too good to be true,” causing hesitation among prospective participants, Burke explained.
Nonetheless, she noted that Trump has succeeded in his mission to disrupt the federal workforce.
“Every day brings something new,” Burke reflected. “If his goal was to be a disrupter, he’s certainly achieving that.”
—This report features contributions from Associated Press writers Nancy Benac, Nathan Ellgren, Gary Fields, Joshua Goodman, Will Weissert, and Brian Witte.
