A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s “deferred resignation” program aimed at streamlining federal workforce costs, which is overseen by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). ️ The program, which offered a buyout to government employees, faced backlash from unions who argued it was “arbitrary and capricious” and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. ⚖️
The original deadline for employees to accept the buyout was set for just before midnight Thursday; however, Judge George O’Toole Jr. has paused this deadline until at least Monday while he hears further arguments. This decision provides a moment of relief for federal workers amid uncertainty regarding their jobs and the future of the program.
As of Wednesday, reports indicated that around 40,000 workers, or about 2% of those offered the buyout, had chosen to resign, while the White House aimed for a 5-10% participation rate. With potential layoffs looming, the situation remains tense as both employees and the administration await further developments.
