Judge weighs extending pause on Trump's "deferred resignations" for federal workers

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.