President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a major step toward reshaping the federal workforce. On April 18, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposed a rule that would create a new employee category: Schedule Policy/Career.
The rule aims to make it easier to remove underperforming or noncompliant policy-influencing employees. It revives efforts from Trump’s first term to restructure Washington’s civil service system and expand executive control over key federal roles.
What Is Schedule Policy/Career?
The proposed rule would allow federal agencies to classify up to 50,000 employees — roughly 2% of the federal workforce — as Schedule Policy/Career. These are career civil servants in roles that involve:
- Policy-making or advocacy
- Confidential advisory responsibilities
- Duties with significant influence over agency direction
Employees in this category would keep their competitive status and merit-based hiring protections. However, the change would make them at-will employees, allowing officials to remove them without the extended appeals process typically required for civil service positions.
Why This Rule Was Introduced
The Trump administration argues that federal agencies are failing to hold poor performers accountable. Recent data shows:
- Fewer than 25% of federal workers believe their agencies address underperformance effectively
- Most poor performers remain in their roles with little consequence
- Managers lack confidence in their ability to discipline employees, even for serious misconduct
“This rule empowers agencies to remove employees for poor performance, misconduct, or subversion of presidential directives — without waiting months or years,” OPM said in a statement.
Trump officials also point to recent scandals. At the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), a 2024 audit revealed widespread harassment and misconduct by senior officials. Despite dozens of complaints, no employees were removed or demoted.
“Restoring Accountability” or Targeting the Deep State?
Critics say the proposal is a political move that could weaken civil service protections and politicize federal jobs. Supporters say it’s a long-overdue correction.
President Trump has framed the rule as part of his larger effort to “drain the swamp.” He reinstated the plan on his first day back in office, fulfilling a major campaign promise.
President Trump introduced a similar classification, Schedule F, in 2020, but President Biden repealed it in 2021. This new version, Schedule Policy/Career, closely mirrors that earlier policy but incorporates procedural refinements for implementation.
What’s Next?
The current OPM proposal does not immediately reclassify any employees. It sets the stage for a future executive order that will move specific positions into the new category once officials approve the final rule.
Agencies would then identify roles that meet the criteria, with final approval from the Office of Management and Budget. If fully enacted, the move could change how federal agencies operate — and who holds power within them.
Final Takeaway
President Trump’s push to reclassify policy-making federal workers marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over civil service reform. Supporters say it will increase accountability and efficiency. Critics fear it could reduce protections for nonpartisan public servants.
The public comment period on the proposed rule is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with a final decision possible by summer.
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