Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined forces with 21 state attorneys general in a legal challenge against the Trump administration’s “Fork in the Road” directive, which has put federal employees under pressure to quickly decide between a “buyout” or potential termination. The coalition filed an amicus brief supporting a motion for a temporary restraining order initiated by several federal employee unions.
The directive, issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management on January 28, 2025, presented most federal workers with a narrow window—until February 6—to accept a “deferred resignation.” This agreement would allow employees to resign but continue receiving pay and benefits until September 30, 2025, under the threat of possible position elimination.
Several unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AFGE Local 3707, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and the National Association of Government Employees, have sued. They argue that the directive is not only illegal but also creates confusion and is unethical. The lawsuit is being heard in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, where Judge George A. O’Toole, Jr. has postponed the decision deadline to February 10, 2025, pending a court hearing.
Attorney General Brown stated, “Maryland is home to thousands of hardworking federal employees who serve our nation with distinction every day. I stand firmly with them against this ultimatum that threatens their livelihoods and careers and will disrupt the vital services that they provide to the State and the nation.”
The legal brief warns that the directive could lead to the loss of essential federal employees, adversely affecting various government functions, including veteran care and disaster response. The coalition has urged the court to block the directive to prevent damage to the workforce and preserve public services.
Attorneys general from states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have also joined the brief.
