A federal judge on Monday chose to extend a temporary restraining order, effectively blocking the Trump administration’s “Fork in the Road” buyout offer intended for federal employees.
Judge George O’Toole indicated that he has taken the matter under advisement, though no specific timeline was provided for a final decision.
“We are pleased that today the court continued his injunction from last week, continuing to enjoin OPM and defendants from implementing the fork in the road directive, the so-called bailout,” stated Elena Goldstein, the lead attorney for a coalition challenging the administration, speaking outside a Boston courtroom after the ruling. “We hope that this decision today will provide civil service workers with the assurance that the American people have their backs. And we will continue to pursue all legal options to ensure that they are protected and that the law is upheld.”
This hearing follows an announcement nearly two weeks prior when the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent emails to over 2 million federal civilian employees, offering them buyouts if they chose to leave their positions. This was part of a broader policy where President Trump mandated that federal workers return to office settings.
The lawsuit, filed by the legal group Democracy Forward on behalf of labor unions representing thousands of federal workers, argues against the administration’s authority to offer such payments. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) communicated to its members that the buyout offer does not assure acceptance of resignations or payment of promised benefits.
Further, the unions assert that the buyout offer is “arbitrary and capricious” and breaches federal law. They argue that the administration cannot ensure funding for the plan and has overlooked the potential impacts of mass resignations, which could disrupt government operations.
In response, NFFE National President Randy Erwin last week criticized the buyout proposal:
“This offer from OPM should not be taken seriously,” Erwin stated. “The offer is not bound by existing law or policy, nor is it funded by Congress. There is nothing to hold OPM or the White House accountable to the terms of their agreement.”
“Federal employees will not give in to this shady tactic pressuring them to quit,” added Erwin. “Civil servants care way too much about their jobs, their agency missions, and their country to be swayed by this phony ploy. To all federal employees: Do not resign.”
This ongoing legal battle highlights the complex interplay between federal employment policies, administrative law, and the welfare of government workers, with significant implications for how federal agencies operate.
