Court's halt on federal worker 'buyout' extends Trump administration's period to attract additional applications
According to OPM, over 60,000 individuals have accepted the offer.
TroibNews 
A court order has temporarily blocked a federal worker “buyout” plan, providing the Trump administration with additional time to persuade federal employees to leave their positions.
The administration had previously opposed extending the deadline, labeling it disruptive. However, the extension grants the administration four additional days to intensify its campaign targeting the federal workforce.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) notified certain government employees in an email on Thursday afternoon that the deadline for the deferred resignation program has been pushed back to Monday at 11:59 p.m. A copy of the message obtained by PMG revealed that the subject line read “Fork in the Road: Deadline Extended to Monday.”
The email indicated that the extension was made in "compliance with an order issued today" aimed at delaying the administration's plan to reduce the federal workforce and stated that employees could participate in the program by replying "resign." However, a follow-up email clarified to federal workers that "Contrary to some media reporting, the program has not been cancelled or blocked."
Later on Thursday, OPM reported that more than 60,000 employees had accepted the offer, falling short of the government's target of 5 to 10 percent participation. The initial deadline for employees to opt into the program had been set for Thursday at 11:59 p.m.
“Federal employees are understandably confused by the inconsistencies in the various communications they've received about this offer," remarked Rushab Sanghvi, general counsel for the American Federation of Government Employee, a union representing federal workers. “This lawsuit isn't about getting rid of the program, it's about making sure it's done correctly and legally.”
In response to inquiries, OPM shared a social media post referencing the extended Monday deadline.
Prior to Senior District Judge George O’Toole’s order issued on Thursday afternoon, which temporarily halted the deadline for the deferred resignation plan, tech billionaire Elon Musk and Trump officials had been working to create a challenging environment for federal employees leading up to the original Thursday deadline while simultaneously presenting an alternative opportunity.
Trump administration officials sent emails to encourage government employees to consider the buyout. One email sent on Wednesday evening informed workers that those who participate in the deferred resignation program "will generally not be expected to work, and will have their compensation protected, even in the event of a lapse in appropriations."
At the same time, Musk continued to mock government workers online, posting a statement that said, “Bureaucracy fears one thing: DOGE,” as reports surfaced regarding the White House drafting an executive order to terminate federal employees across various agencies.
Despite the offer, some employees expressed skepticism about the government's commitment to following through on early resignation offers.
O’Toole has scheduled a hearing for Monday to hear comprehensive arguments regarding the challenge.
OPM’s chief information officer provided an affidavit to the court on Thursday afternoon, stating that the agency is adhering to O’Toole’s order. However, due to technological limitations, some employees might not receive notice until later in the day.
“OPM’s system does not support sending more than two million emails simultaneously and if OPM tried to send all the emails at the exact same time, they might simply be blocked by the receiving limits," explained Greg Hogan.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
The administration had previously opposed extending the deadline, labeling it disruptive. However, the extension grants the administration four additional days to intensify its campaign targeting the federal workforce.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) notified certain government employees in an email on Thursday afternoon that the deadline for the deferred resignation program has been pushed back to Monday at 11:59 p.m. A copy of the message obtained by PMG revealed that the subject line read “Fork in the Road: Deadline Extended to Monday.”
The email indicated that the extension was made in "compliance with an order issued today" aimed at delaying the administration's plan to reduce the federal workforce and stated that employees could participate in the program by replying "resign." However, a follow-up email clarified to federal workers that "Contrary to some media reporting, the program has not been cancelled or blocked."
Later on Thursday, OPM reported that more than 60,000 employees had accepted the offer, falling short of the government's target of 5 to 10 percent participation. The initial deadline for employees to opt into the program had been set for Thursday at 11:59 p.m.
“Federal employees are understandably confused by the inconsistencies in the various communications they've received about this offer," remarked Rushab Sanghvi, general counsel for the American Federation of Government Employee, a union representing federal workers. “This lawsuit isn't about getting rid of the program, it's about making sure it's done correctly and legally.”
In response to inquiries, OPM shared a social media post referencing the extended Monday deadline.
Prior to Senior District Judge George O’Toole’s order issued on Thursday afternoon, which temporarily halted the deadline for the deferred resignation plan, tech billionaire Elon Musk and Trump officials had been working to create a challenging environment for federal employees leading up to the original Thursday deadline while simultaneously presenting an alternative opportunity.
Trump administration officials sent emails to encourage government employees to consider the buyout. One email sent on Wednesday evening informed workers that those who participate in the deferred resignation program "will generally not be expected to work, and will have their compensation protected, even in the event of a lapse in appropriations."
At the same time, Musk continued to mock government workers online, posting a statement that said, “Bureaucracy fears one thing: DOGE,” as reports surfaced regarding the White House drafting an executive order to terminate federal employees across various agencies.
Despite the offer, some employees expressed skepticism about the government's commitment to following through on early resignation offers.
O’Toole has scheduled a hearing for Monday to hear comprehensive arguments regarding the challenge.
OPM’s chief information officer provided an affidavit to the court on Thursday afternoon, stating that the agency is adhering to O’Toole’s order. However, due to technological limitations, some employees might not receive notice until later in the day.
“OPM’s system does not support sending more than two million emails simultaneously and if OPM tried to send all the emails at the exact same time, they might simply be blocked by the receiving limits," explained Greg Hogan.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
