The judge could opt to delay the buyout further or block it on a more permanent basis when he next considers the legal challenge by the unions at a hearing on Monday.

The Trump administration had given most of the country’s federal employees until 11:59 p.m. Thursday to decide if they want to resign with pay through the end of September.

By midnight today, federal workers must decide whether to accept or reject Trump’s buyout offer. What will happen to those who reject the offer and decide not to resign?