Boston, Feb 07, (V7N) - A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Trump administration's deadline for more than 2 million federal employees to decide whether to resign or stay in their jobs. The deadline was set for the end of the day, but the judge’s order will allow time for labor unions to challenge the legality of the plan.

U.S. District Judge George O'Toole in Boston issued the temporary restraining order and scheduled a hearing for Monday to review the case.

Trump administration lawyers argued that extending the deadline at the last minute would disrupt the expectations of federal employees and create uncertainty for those already considering the offer. They also stated that it would hinder the administration’s efforts to reform the federal workforce.

After the judge’s ruling, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration was grateful for the extension. She called it a “once-in-a-lifetime offer” for federal workers who had refused to return to the office.

Labor unions, which represent many federal employees, have argued that the administration’s buyout offer is illegal. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the union would continue to defend workers' rights.

The Trump administration had given federal workers just over a week to accept the offer of a buyout. Union leaders claimed the plan did not follow the proper federal procedures for reducing the workforce.

Federal employees were told they could resign by February 6 and receive eight months of pay and benefits through September. However, Congress has not approved funding for federal agencies beyond March 14.

Unions have warned workers about the lack of clarity surrounding the offer. They pointed out that there were no guarantees about whether employees would still be required to work, whether they could take private sector jobs while receiving government pay, and how their pensions and benefits might be affected.

Critics of the plan have argued that the administration's goal is to make working for the federal government so difficult that employees will leave voluntarily.

The administration also warned that federal employees who did not accept the buyout could be furloughed, with most agencies facing downsizing—except for the Defense Department.

Employees who remain in their positions would be required to work in person, meet new "performance standards," and demonstrate loyalty, trustworthiness, and reliability.

President Trump aims to shrink the size of the federal government and replace employees seen as unsupportive of his agenda with those who are loyal to him.

As of Thursday morning, about 40,000 federal workers—approximately 2% of the total workforce—had accepted the buyout offer, falling short of the White House’s target of 5% to 10%.

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