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 deadline for federal workers to receive financial incentives to quit is approaching. More than 2 million employees have until Thursday at 11:59 p.m.

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.