Judge temporarily blocks deadline for deferred resignation program

Washington — A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Office of Personnel Management's deadline for federal employees to accept the Trump administration's "deferred resignation" offer.

U.S. District George O'Toole prevented the agency from implementing the program's deadline during a brief hearing held hours before federal workers were required to notify OPM of whether they would accept or reject the offer to step away from their positions.

A Justice Department lawyer said OPM would provide notice to federal employees that the deadline is paused pending further legal proceedings.