Trump ends federal remote work and reinstates hiring freeze
Trump also sacked four government officers through a Truth Social post on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump marked his first day back in office by signing several executive orders aimed at reshaping the federal workforce.
Among the key changes are the termination of remote work, a hiring freeze for civilian employees, and the reinstatement of the controversial “Schedule F” designation.
Key Executive Orders:
- Ending Remote Work:
- Trump ordered federal departments and agencies to enforce a fully in-person workweek for employees.
- Department heads are instructed to “take all necessary steps” to end remote work “as soon as practicable.”
- Limited exceptions to this policy are allowed on a case-by-case basis.
- Hiring Freeze:
- A federal civilian hiring freeze took effect immediately, prohibiting the creation of new positions or the filling of existing vacancies.
- This freeze aligns with Trump’s goal of limiting the size of the federal government.
- Reinstating Schedule F:
- Trump revived the “Schedule F” executive order, originally introduced during his previous term in October 2020.
- The policy reclassifies certain federal employees with roles influencing policy or handling confidential matters as “at-will” employees, stripping them of traditional employment protections.
- The White House estimates at least 50,000 federal employees could fall under the Schedule F category, making them easier to dismiss for reasons such as insubordination, misconduct, or poor performance.
Rationale Behind Schedule F:
Trump’s executive order argues that accountability in the federal workforce has been lacking, citing statistics that:
- Only 41% of civil service supervisors feel confident they can remove employees guilty of misconduct.
- Just 26% believe they can terminate employees for poor performance.
The order aims to make the federal workforce more directly accountable to the President, ensuring a streamlined implementation of executive policies.
Pushback and Legal Challenges:
The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) filed a lawsuit late Monday, claiming the executive order will “radically reshape the civil service” and increase the number of employees vulnerable to dismissal.
The union fears the expansion of Schedule F undermines the stability of the civil service by prioritizing loyalty over competence.
Personnel Review Underway:
Trump announced via Truth Social early Tuesday that his Presidential Personnel Office is reviewing over 1,000 federal appointees from the previous administration. This review may lead to widespread removals as part of the administration’s effort to ensure alignment with its policies.
Implications:
Trump’s executive actions signal a return to his administration’s focus on reducing the size and perceived inefficiency of the federal workforce.
While supporters argue these measures improve accountability, critics warn they may politicize the civil service and erode job protections. Legal challenges are expected to intensify as these policies are implemented.