Judge weighs extending pause on Trump's "deferred resignations" for federal workers
CBSN
Boston — A federal judge in Boston on Monday heard arguments over whether to extend a nationwide pause in the Trump administration's bid to offer "deferred resignations" to federal workers who voluntarily leave government service.
Judge George O'Toole of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts initially paused the deadline for workers to accept the offer last week, and held a hearing on Monday over whether he should issue a temporary restraining order extending the pause. He declined to rule on the matter from the bench, and said the pause would remain in effect until he issues a new order.
Last month, the Office of Personnel Management, or OPM, sent a notice offering more than 2 million federal workers the option of resigning their positions while retaining full pay and benefits until Sept 30. Federal workers who agreed to resign would be exempt from in-person work requirements through September and would not be required to work at their government jobs during the deferred resignation period, according to the notice.

As the Trump administration continues to prepare military options for strikes in Iran, U.S. allies in the Mideast, including Turkey, Oman and Qatar, are attempting to head off that possibility by brokering diplomatic talks, multiple regional officials told CBS News. Camilla Schick and Eleanor Watson contributed to this report.

Another winter storm may be headed toward the East Coast of the United States this weekend, on the heels of a powerful and deadly system that blanketed huge swaths of the country in snow and ice. The effects of that original storm have lingered for many areas in its path, and will likely remain as repeated bouts of Arctic air plunge downward from Canada and drive temperatures below freezing. Nikki Nolan contributed to this report. In:











