Federal Judge Keeps Trump Administration’s So-Called Government “Buy Out, Fork in the Road Directive” On Hold, Extends Temporary Restraining Order

Massachusetts – Today, the Federal District Court in Massachusetts continued its pause of the implementation of the Trump administration’s “buy-out, fork-in-the-road directive for civil servants,” and said it intends to consider further preliminary injunctive relief. Democracy Forward filed suit less than a week ago on behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AFGE Local 3707, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, (AFSCME), and the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) to ensure any such program was brought into compliance with the law. 

“Public service on behalf of the American people is not something to be bought and sold. We are pleased that the court has continued to pause implementation of the so-called “buy out” for non-partisan civil servants. People and communities across the nation depend on a non-partisan, committed civil service. It is important that the American people have the backs of the people who serve us all and that is why we will continue to pursue this case on behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFGE Local 3707, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and the National Association of Government Employees,” said Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman.

A request for a temporary restraining order, seeking a court order to pause and extend the deadline, was filed on February 5, 2025. On February 6, the court ordered the deadline of the Trump Administration’s “Fork Directive” program be extended, pending argument held today. The court will now consider whether to extend the deadline further as part of the motion for preliminary injunction. The case is American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO et al v. Ezell et al (1:25-cv-10276-GAO). Democracy Forward’s Senior Legal Advisor, Elena Goldstein, argued today for the Plaintiffs joined by Democracy Forward Senior Oversight Counsel Dan McGrath.   

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