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Trump pledges a series of Day 1 executive actions to end 'four long years of American decline'

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Trump pledges a series of Day 1 executive actions to end 'four long years of American decline'
News

News

Trump pledges a series of Day 1 executive actions to end 'four long years of American decline'

2025-01-20 10:51 Last Updated At:11:41

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump used a raucous rally Sunday on the eve of his inauguration to promise swift Day 1 action remaking the federal government, shifting federal priorities at breakneck speed and ensuring that “the curtain closes on four long years of American decline.”

Supporters filled nearly all of the 20,000-plus-seat Capital One Arena in downtown Washington for a “Make America Great” victory celebration, and cheered as Trump said he’d take quick action on everything from cracking down on the U.S.-Mexico border to promoting oil drilling, reining in the federal workforce and eradicating diversity programs.

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CORRECTS ID FROM MACKENZIE SCOTT TO LAUREN SANCHEZ - Elon Musk talks to guests including Jeff Bezos and his Lauren Sánchez, third from right, and Shivon Zillis, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

CORRECTS ID FROM MACKENZIE SCOTT TO LAUREN SANCHEZ - Elon Musk talks to guests including Jeff Bezos and his Lauren Sánchez, third from right, and Shivon Zillis, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk talks guests including Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott, third from right, and Shivon Zillis, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk talks guests including Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott, third from right, and Shivon Zillis, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk shakes hands with Jared Kushner as Ivanka Trump and Jeff Bezos watch, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk shakes hands with Jared Kushner as Ivanka Trump and Jeff Bezos watch, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington, as Melania Trump listens. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington, as Melania Trump listens. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump dances with The Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump dances with The Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump departs a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President-elect Donald Trump departs a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President-elect Donald Trump watches The Village People perform at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump watches The Village People perform at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump dances with The Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump dances with The Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A woman watches President-elect Donald Trump speak at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

A woman watches President-elect Donald Trump speak at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President-elect Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump walks to greet the family of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump walks to greet the family of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump take pictures as they celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump take pictures as they celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump take pictures as they celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump take pictures as they celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporter of President-elect Donald Trump Romaulad Helinski gestures as he celebrates outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporter of President-elect Donald Trump Romaulad Helinski gestures as he celebrates outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

President-elect Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump greets family members at the grave of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump greets family members at the grave of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump greets family members at the grave of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump greets family members at the grave of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump touches the headstone of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump touches the headstone of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump walks to greet the family of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump walks to greet the family of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump, walk off an Air Force Special Mission airplane as they arrive at Dulles International Airport, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump, walk off an Air Force Special Mission airplane as they arrive at Dulles International Airport, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and family watch fireworks at Trump National Golf Club, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Sterling, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and family watch fireworks at Trump National Golf Club, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Sterling, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

“We’re going to give them the best first day, the biggest first week and the most extraordinary first 100 days of any presidency in American history,” said Trump, who also promised to roll back executive actions by his predecessor, outgoing President Joe Biden, “within hours.”

In an unusual move, Trump entered at the arena’s concourse level and deliberately made his way down the stairs before his speech, stopping frequently to pump his fist and pose for pictures with rallygoers. It was even more surreal after he finished speaking, when the Village People took the stage and the president-elect sang — and even briefly danced — along to “YMCA,” an unofficial anthem of his campaign.

Trump said he'd jump start his agenda with a series of unilateral actions from the White House, telling the crowd, “You’re going to see executive orders that are going to make you extremely happy. Lots of them.”

“Tomorrow we will not waste a single moment,” he vowed later to attendees at a dinner reception.

Sunday was Trump’s first full day back in Washington since his Election Day victory and gave him a chance to energize core supporters before the official pomp of Inauguration Day. Unlike when Trump helped spark a mob of his supporters to attack the Capitol and tried to retain power in 2021 after his loss to Biden, officials did not expect massive protests, unrest or violence.

Instead, jubilant crowds reveled in Trump’s coming second term and MAGA’s total control of the Republican Party.

Yet even with a comfortable Electoral College victory and his party in full — albeit narrow — control of Congress, the incoming president is one of the most polarizing figures in U.S. history, with nearly as many fierce detractors as ardent supporters. That means it could be difficult for Trump to fulfill postelection pledges to promote bipartisanship while healing political differences.

Trump has nonetheless insisted that unity will be a theme of his inauguration speech Monday, along with strength and fairness — despite spending months as a candidate saying that if elected he would seek retribution against political enemies.

That was the theme of much of his rally speech Sunday, when Trump returned to the greatest hits of his campaign — as if the race against Vice President Kamala Harris weren’t already long decided. Trump denounced “migrant crime” by evoking one of his favorite fictional characters, Hannibal Lecter, and promised to stamp out “woke” policies and oppose transgender rights.

“Tomorrow, at noon, the curtain closes on four long years of American decline, and we begin a brand new day of American strength and prosperity, dignity and pride,” Trump said, adding, “Once and for all, we’re going to end the reign of a failed and corrupt political establishment in Washington."

The event also featured a performance by Kid Rock, who performed “All Summer Long” despite a cold mix of rain and snow falling outside. Others taking the stage included singer Lee Greenwood, whose “God Bless the USA” is a Trump favorite.

Billionaire Tesla owner Elon Musk — who Trump has tasked with helping run a special commission to make the federal government more efficient — took the stage and said “we’re looking forward to making a lot of changes.” Jon Voight, an actor named by Trump as a special ambassador to Hollywood, declared the president-elect “our hero. A man who never gave up on the American people, and we the people never gave up on him.”

Stephen Miller, Trump’s pick to be deputy chief of staff and a key architect of the administration’s promised hard-line immigration polices, vowed that “justice is coming.”

“We are about to get our country back and our democracy back,” Miller said, adding “Donald J. Trump is about to save this country.”

With frigid temperatures expected Monday, Trump directed most of Monday’s outdoor events to be moved indoors, and officials held a rehearsal Sunday for his swearing-in in the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda, which holds only 600 people compared to the 250,000-plus guests who had tickets to view the inauguration from around the Capitol grounds.

Also Sunday, Trump had breakfast privately with Republican senators at Blair House, the president’s official guest residence, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, and took to his social media site to comment on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the U.S. ban on TikTok.

“Hostages starting to come out today!." Trump wrote.

Overnight, millions of U.S. users of TikTok lost the ability to watch videos on the social media platform as a federal ban on the app took effect. Though the site later began working again for some users, the disruptions reflected a new law requiring its China-based parent company, ByteDance, to divest for national security reasons.

The company made a personal appeal to Trump to intervene, posting a message saying, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office."

Trump subsequently posted, “I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!" He promised to issue an executive order Monday "to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.” The president-elect also wrote that he was interested in the U.S. owning 50% of TikTok in a “joint venture” model, though he did not offer much detail on what that would look like.

Another stop for Trump on Sunday were snow-covered graves at Arlington National Cemetery, where he and Vice President-elect JD Vance — each wearing dark overcoats and red ties — walked together to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a wreath-laying ceremony that included the playing of taps. Trump mouthed “thank you” after placing the wreath.

The pair later spent nearly half an hour in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, talking with families of soldiers who died in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing.

The scene was far different than in August, when two Trump campaign staff members reportedly verbally “abused and pushed” aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60.

CORRECTS ID FROM MACKENZIE SCOTT TO LAUREN SANCHEZ - Elon Musk talks to guests including Jeff Bezos and his Lauren Sánchez, third from right, and Shivon Zillis, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

CORRECTS ID FROM MACKENZIE SCOTT TO LAUREN SANCHEZ - Elon Musk talks to guests including Jeff Bezos and his Lauren Sánchez, third from right, and Shivon Zillis, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk talks guests including Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott, third from right, and Shivon Zillis, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk talks guests including Jeff Bezos and his wife MacKenzie Scott, third from right, and Shivon Zillis, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk shakes hands with Jared Kushner as Ivanka Trump and Jeff Bezos watch, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Elon Musk shakes hands with Jared Kushner as Ivanka Trump and Jeff Bezos watch, before President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington, as Melania Trump listens. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at the Building Museum, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington, as Melania Trump listens. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump dances with The Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump dances with The Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump departs a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President-elect Donald Trump departs a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President-elect Donald Trump watches The Village People perform at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump watches The Village People perform at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump dances with The Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump dances with The Village People at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

A woman watches President-elect Donald Trump speak at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

A woman watches President-elect Donald Trump speak at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a rally ahead of the 60th Presidential Inauguration, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

President-elect Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump walks to greet the family of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump walks to greet the family of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump take pictures as they celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump take pictures as they celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump take pictures as they celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporters of President-elect Donald Trump take pictures as they celebrate outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporter of President-elect Donald Trump Romaulad Helinski gestures as he celebrates outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Supporter of President-elect Donald Trump Romaulad Helinski gestures as he celebrates outside of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

President-elect Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump greets family members at the grave of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump greets family members at the grave of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump greets family members at the grave of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump greets family members at the grave of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump touches the headstone of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump touches the headstone of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump walks to greet the family of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump walks to greet the family of Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover during a visit to Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melina Trump talk with family members of Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump, walk off an Air Force Special Mission airplane as they arrive at Dulles International Airport, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump, walk off an Air Force Special Mission airplane as they arrive at Dulles International Airport, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Dulles, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and family watch fireworks at Trump National Golf Club, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Sterling, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump and family watch fireworks at Trump National Golf Club, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Sterling, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to push out federal employees by offering them financial incentives.

The ruling came hours before the midnight deadline for workers to apply for the deferred resignation program, which has been commonly described as a buyout.

U.S. District Judge George O’Toole Jr. in Boston did not express an opinion on the legality of the program. He scheduled a hearing for Monday at 2 p.m. EST.

He also directed administration officials to extend the deadline to apply for the program until after the hearing.

Several labor unions have sued over Trump's plans, which were orchestrated by Elon Musk, a top adviser. The Republican president is trying to downsize and reshape the federal workforce.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of miles from Elon Musk’s office in the White House complex, a federal worker based in the Pacific Northwest is wondering whether to quit.

Musk, one of President Donald Trump’s most powerful advisers, has orchestrated an unprecedented financial incentive for people to leave their government jobs, promising several months of pay in return for their resignation. The worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, wants to take the money and move overseas.

But she’s worried. What if the offer is too good to be true? What if this is really a covert effort to make a list of disloyal government employees?

Her situation is a microcosm of the uncertainty sweeping through the federal government, which is the country’s single largest employer. More than 2 million workers — analysts, nurses, scientists, accountants, food inspectors and loan processors — face a deadline of 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday to decide if they should leave.

The deferred resignation program is part of Trump’s plan to remake the federal government, weakening what allies describe as the “deep state” that undermined the Republican president during his first term. Administration officials said they can save taxpayer money by presenting employees with “a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to stop working while still collecting a paycheck until Sept. 30.

On Wednesday, the administration ramped up its pressure on employees to leave, sending a reminder that layoffs or furloughs could come next.

“The majority of federal agencies are likely to be downsized through restructurings, realignments, and reductions in force,” said the message from the Office of Personnel Management, which has been a nexus of Musk's efforts to downsize the government.

The email said anyone who remains will be expected to be “loyal” and “will be subject to enhanced standards of suitability and conduct as we move forward.” Some employees could be reclassified to limit civil service protections as well.

“Employees who engage in unlawful behavior or other misconduct will be prioritized for appropriate investigation and discipline, including termination,” the email said.

Democrats said workers shouldn't accept the deferred resignation program because it wasn't authorized by Congress, raising the risk they won't get paid. Unions have sued to stop Trump's plans, and a judge will consider whether to block the financial offer at a hearing Thursday afternoon in Boston.

“It’s a scam and not a buyout,” said Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees.

Kelley said he tells workers that “if it was me, I wouldn’t do it.”

An employee at the Department of Education, who also spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, said the administration appeared desperate to get people to sign the agreement. However, she said there were too many red flags, such as a clause waiving the right to sue if the government failed to honor its side of the deal.

Trump put Musk, the world's richest man, in charge of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which is a sweeping initiative to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. The original email offering the deferred resignation program was titled “Fork in the road,” echoing a similar message that Musk sent Twitter employees two years ago after he bought the social media platform.

Trump administration officials have organized question-and-answer sessions with employees as the deadline approaches.

Rachel Oglesby, the chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Education who previously worked at the America First Policy Institute, said Trump is trying to reduce the federal workforce.

“I know there’s been a lot of questions out there about whether it’s real and whether it’s a trick,” she said, according to a recording obtained by The Associated Press. “And it’s exactly what it looks like. It’s one of the many tools that he’s using to try to achieve the campaign promise to bring reform to the civil service and changes to D.C.”

The issue was also discussed during a meeting with Department of Agriculture employees, according to another recording obtained by the AP. Marlon Taubenheim, a human resources official, acknowledged that “these are very trying times” and “there’s a lot of stress.”

“Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers,” he said.

Jacqueline Ponti-Lazaruk, another agency leader, said employees “probably didn’t have the runway of time that you might have liked to make a life-changing decision.”

For those who remain, she said, "we’ll just keep plugging along.”

Assurances from administration officials have not alleviated concerns across a range of agencies. Some federal workers said they did not trust the validity of the offers, doubting that Trump has the authority to disburse money. Others point to his record of stiffing contractors as a New York real estate mogul.

Scattered protests have sprung up outside federal buildings, including on Tuesday at the Office of Personnel Management.

“I’m taking a risk and being bold and trying to get more federal workers to take a risk to speak out," said Dante O’Hara, who said he works for the government. "Because if we don’t, then we’re all going to lose our jobs and they’re going to put all these loyalists or people that will be their shock troops.”

Government jobs have often been considered secure positions, but O’Hara said there’s fear in the workforce. The sense from his colleagues is “I don’t know if I’m going to be here tomorrow because, like, we don’t know what’s going to happen.’”

Dan Smith, a Maryland resident whose father was a research scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said federal workers are “so underappreciated and so taken for granted.”

“It’s one thing to downsize the government. It’s one thing to try to obliterate it," Smith said. "And that’s what’s going on. And that is what is so frightening and disgusting and requires pushback.”

Mary-Jean Burke, a physical therapist for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Indianapolis, said she's worried that too many people will leave, jeopardizing health care services.

Burke, who also serves as a union official, said doubts have also been growing over whether to take the offer.

“Originally, I think people were like, ‘I’m out of here,'" she said. But then they saw a social media post from DOGE, which said employees can "take the vacation you always wanted, or just watch movies and chill, while receiving your full government pay and benefits.”

The message backfired because "that kind of thing sounded a little bit too good to be true and people were hesitant,” Burke said.

Either way, she said, Trump has achieved his apparent goal of shaking up the federal workforce.

“Every day, it’s something,” Burke said. “If he signed up to be a disrupter, he’s doing it.”

Associated Press writers Nancy Benac, Nathan Ellgren, Gary Fields, Joshua Goodman and Brian Witte contributed to this report.

People protest during a rally against Elon Musk outside the Treasury Department in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

People protest during a rally against Elon Musk outside the Treasury Department in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., accompanied by other members of congress, speaks to the crowd during a rally against Elon Musk outside the Treasury Department in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., accompanied by other members of congress, speaks to the crowd during a rally against Elon Musk outside the Treasury Department in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

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