A U.S. judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s federal worker buyout plan, delaying a midnight deadline. Over 60,000 employees have already accepted the offer, which promises pay until October but lacks funding guarantees beyond March.
The buyout is part of Trump’s effort to shrink the federal workforce, with plans to cut USAID from 10,000 employees to fewer than 300. Labor unions and Democrats have sued, citing legal violations and worker coercion. Employees were told to type “RESIGN” in an email subject line to accept.
Elon Musk, tasked with downsizing, has sought access to personnel records, triggering a lawsuit from Democratic attorneys general. The White House insists it’s cutting waste, but federal workers report fear and uncertainty.
A new White House memo orders agencies to list employees with poor performance ratings, new hires, and Biden-era appointees for possible termination. More cuts are expected, though reports of mass firings at health agencies were denied. Judge O’Toole may extend the block in a Monday hearing.
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