UPDATE: The Trump administration has just announced radical changes to federal employee classification, making it significantly easier to terminate public employees. On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) introduced a new category called “Schedule Policy/Career,” which consolidates positions that could be directly influenced by the executive branch.
This development allows President Trump to exert greater control over the federal workforce. Positions classified under this new category may include senior policy analysts and regulatory affairs specialists. However, employees in these roles will now face the loss of critical protections, as adverse action procedures and appeal rights—typically standard in disciplinary cases—will no longer apply.
According to OPM, this change aims to enhance accountability, stating that “[m]oving policy-influencing positions into Schedule Policy/Career will remove procedural impediments to holding career officials accountable for their performance and conduct.” The implication is clear: firings could occur for reasons that previously required thorough procedural reviews.
The OPM has emphasized that agencies must now establish internal policies to protect these newly classified career employees from potential retaliation, including whistleblower reprisals. Yet, these protections are not guaranteed under the new rules, raising concerns among federal workers and advocates alike.
During the 45-day public comment period, the OPM received a staggering 40,500 comments, with approximately 94 percent opposing the proposed regulation. OPM Director Scott Kupor revealed that federal agency heads submitted a list of around 50,000 positions suggested for reclassification, which represents about 2 percent of the total federal workforce.
Kupor addressed critics who fear that Trump may exploit these changes to appoint loyalists, stating, “People are free to agree or disagree with obviously any of the priorities that any president has… if their disagreement leads them to then try to actively thwart or undermine the execution of those priorities,” he cautioned that employees in reclassified positions could face serious consequences.
The urgency of this ruling cannot be overstated. With this regulation expected to be published in the Federal Register today, federal employees and their advocates are bracing for potential upheaval. The ramifications could reshape the landscape of the federal workforce, putting thousands of employees at risk.
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on how these changes are implemented and how federal agencies will navigate the newly established guidelines. The impact on employee morale and public service delivery could be profound, triggering widespread concern among those working within the federal government.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds.
