 "Judge pauses Trump's incentive plan to push out federal workers")
A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to push out federal workers by offering them financial incentives, the latest twist in a chaotic and distressing saga playing out for millions of government employees.
The ruling came hours before the midnight deadline for them to apply for the deferred resignation programme.
US District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston directed the administration to extend that deadline until after a court hearing he scheduled for Monday afternoon.
O’Toole did not express an opinion on the legality of the programme, which is being challenged by several labor unions, and said he would weigh arguments next week.
At the White House, press secretary Karoline Levitt said more than 40,000 federal workers have applied to leave in return for being paid until September 30.
“We encourage federal workers in this city to accept the very generous offer," she said at about the same time as the judge’s ruling came out.
“They don’t want to come into the office. If they want to rip the American people off, then they’re welcome to take this buyout and we’ll find highly qualified people” to replace them.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe deferred resignation programme was orchestrated by Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who is serving as a top adviser to Trump.
It is part of the Republican president’s goal of remaking the federal government, weakening what his allies describe as the “deep state” that undermined his first term.
Administration officials said they can save taxpayer money by presenting employees with “a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
