Government Buyout Program Is Proceeding After New Ruling: Things to Know

About 75,000 federal workers have signed up for buyouts.

The United States Courthouse in Seattle, Wash., on Feb. 6, 2025. Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images

A federal judge on Feb. 12 allowed the buyout program for government workers initiated by the Trump administration to proceed, ruling against unions that sued to block it.

Here’s what to know.

Plaintiffs Failed to Show Standing

Unions said they were entitled to a restraining order against the buyouts because they would be forced to expend resources that could not be recovered to help their members as they navigated the program.