A federal judge on Wednesday cleared the way for President Donald Trump 's plan to downsize the federal workforce with a deferred resignation program.

The judge extended his pause on the ‘Fork in the Road’ initiative without issuing a formal ruling earlier this week.

With a judge’s assent, the Trump administration moved to take next steps in the program and close it to new entrants.

U.S. District Judge George O'Toole Jr. in Boston ruled that the labor unions lacked legal standing to challenge the program.

After a hearing on Monday, a federal judge in Boston extended a stay on the deadline for federal employees to accept the Trump administration's resignation offer while he considers the arguments.

A federal judge in Massachusetts said the program would continue to be on hold until he issued a ruling. The government had ...