The Office of Personnel Management has issued a new rule that will make it harder to fire federal employees, in response to former President Donald Trump’s executive order known as Schedule F. This rule sought to reclassify federal employees as political appointees or other at-will workers, making them more easily dismissible. The new rule aims to prevent this reclassification by outlining procedural requirements and clarifying that civil service protections cannot be taken away regardless of job type. This move is seen as a way to protect nonpartisan professionals in federal agencies from being replaced by partisan loyalists.
The National Treasury Employee Union and other good government groups have applauded the new rule, as they see it as crucial in protecting federal worker protections and preventing the replacement of existing employees with more conservative alternatives. This effort to maintain federal workforce integrity is seen as a response to conservative organizations like the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which aims to vet and potentially fire federal workers to eliminate what some view as a “deep state” bureaucratic system. The final rule, which is 237 pages long, is set to take effect next month after receiving feedback from the public and addressing concerns.
If President Trump were to win another term, his administration could potentially direct the Office of Personnel Management to draft new rules. However, this process would require detailed explanation and could face legal challenges from opponents. The deputy director of the Office of Personnel Management emphasized that the new rule is about ensuring that federal employees can continue to serve the American people without fear of political interference. He highlighted that the majority of federal workers are dedicated to their jobs and the public, regardless of their personal political beliefs.
The new rule is seen as a way to prevent arbitrary removal of nonpartisan professionals in federal agencies and protect the integrity of the federal workforce. It aims to counter any potential future executive orders that seek to reclassify federal employees and reduce their job security protections. By clarifying that civil service protections apply regardless of job type and preventing policymaking classifications for career civil servants, the rule aims to maintain stability and professionalism within the federal government. Overall, the new rule is viewed as a positive step in ensuring that federal workers can continue to serve the American people without facing political interference.
