A federal judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump's ambitious plan to incentivize federal workers to resign, a program perceived by many as a strategy to reshape the government workforce. The ruling was delivered just hours before the deadline for employees to apply for the deferred resignation program, which was intricately crafted by Time and supported by Trump’s advisor, Elon Musk. U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston ordered the administration to extend the deadline until after a scheduled court hearing, emphasizing that he would not express an opinion on the program’s legality until he could weigh arguments from both sides on Monday.

Before the ruling, press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that over 40,000 federal employees had already opted to leave, receiving pay until September 30. She described those working remotely as “lazy” and remarked that any government employee who wished to “rip the American people off” was welcome to take the buyout and allow the administration to find “highly qualified people” to replace them.

The deferred resignation program, which has drawn sharp criticism from labor unions claiming it lacked congressional authorization, was seen as a covert method to clear out non-compliant workers. Union leaders, including Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, called it “a scam and not a buyout,” advising employees to reconsider their participation. Moreover, concerns have been raised regarding clauses in the program that potentially waived any legal recourse if the government failed to uphold its promises, prompting skepticism among many workers about the program's authenticity.

Simultaneously, administration officials sent an email warning that most federal agencies would undergo downsizing through restructurings and reductions in force. They cautioned that any remaining employees would be expected to demonstrate loyalty and would face stricter conduct standards. For instance, dismissals or disciplinary actions would be prioritized for “unlawful behavior” among those who choose to stay.

Despite assurances, anxiety has pervaded the federal workforce; some employees voiced fears about the potential ramifications of the buyout plan. Scattered protests erupted outside federal buildings with government workers expressing their discontent with the regime's handling of the situation. “I’m taking a risk and being bold,” said protestor Dante O'Hara. “If we don’t, then we’re all going to lose our jobs.”

Employee uncertainties have been compounded by communications from the Department of Agriculture and other agencies, conveying that many were struggling with the decision-making process amid a lack of clarity regarding their job security. “Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers,” remarked Marlon Taubenheim, an HR official at the Department of Agriculture, acknowledging the strain caused by the situation.

Concerns extend beyond mere job security; workers like Mary-Jean Burke expressed apprehension that too many resignations might jeopardize essential services within their departments. “If too many people leave, we’ll create gaps in healthcare services,” she stated, reflecting the anxiety shared among many within her profession.

Please check the original articles for more comprehensive coverage of this developing issue from AP News, HuffPost, and South China Morning Post.