The Trump administration has reignited its efforts to shake up the rules around firing certain federal employees, rebranding the initiative under a new name. Let’s dive into what this means and why it’s making waves.
What’s Changing?
On Monday, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sent a memo to federal agencies introducing “Schedule Career/Policy.” This new designation tweaks what was previously known as “Schedule F,” which surfaced near the end of Trump’s first term.
The goal? To give agencies more flexibility in managing employees who hold policy-making or policy-influencing roles. These are positions where effective performance is crucial, according to the OPM.
Why Does This Matter?
The memo outlines two key actions for federal agencies:
- Initial Review: Within 90 days, agencies must assess which positions fall under the new category and determine if they’re typically unaffected by presidential transitions.
- Final Report: A comprehensive review is due within 210 days.
While employees in these roles aren’t required to politically align with the current administration, they are expected to implement policies faithfully. Failure to do so, the OPM states, could be grounds for dismissal.
A Civil Service Tug-of-War
This isn’t the first time “Schedule F” (now “Schedule Career/Policy”) has stirred controversy. In October 2020, Trump introduced the concept via Executive Order 13957. The idea was to streamline hiring and firing processes for certain federal roles. However, it also raised alarms about stripping employees of protections like the right to challenge dismissals.
When President Biden took office, he quickly revoked Trump’s order, calling it unnecessary and harmful to the merit-based principles of civil service. But with Trump’s return, the initiative has been revived.
What Critics Are Saying
Unsurprisingly, the changes haven’t gone unnoticed—or unchallenged.
- The National Treasury Employees Union has already filed a lawsuit, arguing that these moves could create a system of “political loyalty tests” for federal workers.
- Union President Doreen Greenwald expressed concerns that these changes would undermine employee rights and introduce unnecessary partisanship into public service.
What’s Next?
As federal agencies work through their reviews, the debate continues. Supporters argue that this approach will cut bureaucratic delays and remove underperforming employees more efficiently. Critics worry it erodes protections and opens the door to politicized decision-making.
