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Trump Administration Plans to Restructure Federal Workforce
President-elect Donald Trump Administration plans to restructure Federal Workforce, aiming for Loyalty and Control over federal agencies.
Aiming to Dismantle the “Deep State”
Trump and his allies plan to address what they refer to as the “deep state” by removing job protections for tens of thousands of federal employees. This effort could begin as early as his first day in office, with an executive order targeting an estimated 50,000 career positions.
The proposed order would allow federal agencies to reclassify these roles into political appointments, enabling them to dismiss employees without cause and replace them with loyalists.
Filling Political Appointments Quickly
The administration is also prioritizing the rapid placement of political appointees across the government. Key nominees for top roles include individuals who have expressed strong support for these workforce changes.
Reclassification Through “Schedule F”
The revived “Schedule F” initiative is central to these plans. Originally crafted near the end of Trump’s first term, this executive order would enable agency officials to reclassify career positions, bypassing traditional job protections.
Russell Vought, the nominee for Director of the Office of Management and Budget, played a key role in developing the original policy. Other nominees, such as Pam Bondi for Attorney General, have voiced support for this approach during Senate hearings.
Opposition and Concerns
Critics argue that these changes could harm the federal workforce and politicize government functions. Legal experts and unions representing federal employees have raised concerns about the potential for a culture of fear, where workers hesitate to speak out or take initiative.
James Eisenmann, a lawyer specializing in federal workforce policy, warned that reclassifying positions could undermine job performance and create a hostile environment.
Steve Lenkart, Executive Director of the National Federation of Federal Workers, criticized the initiative, likening it to creating a “secret police” within government agencies.
Targeting Federal Employees
The administration has begun identifying federal employees whose views may conflict with its goals. The American Accountability Foundation, a conservative organization, has published lists of individuals in leadership roles they deem resistant to the administration’s policies, particularly in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Moving Forward
The Trump transition team has not disclosed a specific timeline for these efforts, acknowledging that federal rule-making procedures could delay the implementation of major changes.
Despite criticism, Trump allies assert that these measures are necessary to ensure loyalty and alignment with the administration’s agenda, framing the initiative as a way to better serve the American people and enhance government efficiency.