BOSTON, MA — A federal judge in Massachusetts has ruled in favor of the Trump administration’s “deferred resignation” program, allowing the White House to proceed with its voluntary federal workforce reduction plan.
The ruling lifts a temporary pause on the program, which has already resulted in 75,000 federal workers resigning from their positions, according to the White House.
Key Takeaways from the Ruling
Judge George O’Toole’s Decision:
- Ruled that federal employee unions lacked standing to challenge the program.
- Determined that the court lacked jurisdiction to block the policy.
- Stated that individual federal workers must first challenge the policy through administrative processes before taking legal action.
What This Means for Federal Workers:
- The deferred resignation program closed as of 7 p.m. Wednesday.
- Workers who resigned will receive full pay and benefits until Sept. 30 but are not required to work during that period.
- Those who did not resign face potential downsizing as part of Trump’s broader federal workforce reduction.
Inside the Deferred Resignation Program
How the Offer Worked:
- Federal workers were given the choice to resign while still collecting full salaries and benefits through Sept. 30, 2025.
- Workers who accepted were exempt from in-person work requirements.
- The Trump administration warned of potential layoffs for those who chose to stay.
Legal Challenges from Federal Unions
Union Lawsuits Argued That:
- The program violated federal employment laws.
- It coerced workers into quitting under threat of layoffs.
- It undermined long-standing civil service protections.
Judge’s Response:
- Found that unions were not directly harmed by the policy.
- Argued that individual workers must first challenge the policy administratively before seeking court intervention.
Trump’s Federal Workforce Overhaul
Other Key Workforce Changes Under Trump:
- Mandatory 5-day office return policy for federal employees.
- Reinstatement of Schedule F, stripping civil servants of job protections.
- Elon Musk appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- DOGE has already begun restructuring federal agencies, sparking more lawsuits from government unions.
Reaction to the Ruling
White House & Administration
- McLaurine Pinover, OPM spokesperson: “The Deferred Resignation Program was both legal and valuable, giving federal workers a clear path forward.”
Unions & Critics
- Democracy Forward’s Skye Perrymann: “We will continue to pursue all legal options to defend the civil service and protect the American people from extremism.”
- Federal employee unions vow to keep fighting through additional lawsuits.
What’s Next?
With the deferred resignation program closed, attention now shifts to Trump’s broader efforts to reduce federal employment, including:
- Agency downsizing and layoffs
- Increased legal battles over Schedule F and civil service protections
- DOGE’s push to restructure major federal departments
Trump’s federal workforce overhaul is far from over, and additional lawsuits from federal unions are expected in the coming months.
