Judge Allows Trump’s Federal Worker Buyout Plan to Proceed Despite Legal Questions

WCTU CLEVELAND 13 — A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled that President Donald Trump’s so-called buyout for federal workers can move forward, lifting a pause that had been placed on the program earlier this week. The ruling marks a victory for the Trump administration, though it does not address the legality of the program itself.

Judge George A. O’Toole Jr., a Clinton appointee, determined that the federal worker labor unions that brought the lawsuit lacked standing to challenge the program. In his decision, O’Toole stated that the unions were not directly impacted by the offer and that his court did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

Since taking office, Trump has been vocal about reducing the size of the federal workforce. As part of that effort, his administration introduced a program that allowed federal employees who resigned to continue receiving their salaries through September. According to the White House, approximately 65,000 of the more than 2 million federal workers accepted the offer.

The federal workers' labor union opposed the plan and filed a lawsuit, calling the buyout an “arbitrary, unlawful, short-fused ultimatum.” The union argued that the offer lacked guarantees and could leave federal workers without jobs or compensation. They also questioned the program’s legality, citing concerns over congressional approval, as Congress holds authority over federal spending.

The financial implications of the buyout remain uncertain. Providing tens of thousands of federal workers with more than seven months of salary upfront would likely require congressional approval, which has not yet been secured. Additionally, the federal government is facing a potential shutdown in mid-March unless lawmakers pass a funding bill. Without a resolution, federal employees could see disruptions to their paychecks, complicating the logistics of Trump’s buyout offer.

It is unclear whether the labor unions will appeal Judge O’Toole’s ruling or when the deadline for federal employees to accept the resignation offer might be reinstated. Trump, who has frequently criticized what he calls “activist judges,” previously targeted O’Toole for rulings that blocked some of his administration’s efforts. Whether the president will alter his stance on the judge now that the ruling favors his administration remains to be seen.

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