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Wednesday, Feb 05, 2025
Outside the box.
Trump Gears Up to Transform Federal Workforce and Confront the 'Deep State'
President-elect Donald Trump intends to revamp the federal workforce, focusing on career employees whom he and his supporters view as part of the 'deep state.'
President-elect Donald Trump is poised to make significant changes to the U.S. federal workforce, targeting what he and his allies refer to as the 'deep state.' As his inauguration nears, those familiar with his transition indicate that these changes might commence on his first day in office.
A major aspect of the plan includes an executive order to strip job protections from up to 50,000 federal employees, enabling political appointees to take their place.
This initiative to install political loyalists in government roles is anticipated to span various agencies, with an emphasis on quickly filling political appointments.
The Trump administration has already prompted the resignation of senior diplomats at the U.S. State Department, aligning with his broader aim to overhaul the federal bureaucracy.
Russell Vought, a central figure in the transition, has been nominated to return as director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Vought previously assisted in developing the Schedule F reclassification order, which would permit agencies to convert career positions into political roles.
This would simplify the process for the administration to dismiss employees without cause and appoint loyalists in their stead.
Other prominent nominees, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi and national security advisor Mike Waltz, have expressed support for transforming the federal workforce.
The Trump team has clearly stated that they perceive federal bureaucrats as hindering their agenda during his first term, with some officials accused of delaying initiatives in departments such as Justice and Education.
Critics, including federal employee unions, contend that the notion of a 'deep state' is a conspiracy theory aimed at justifying executive overreach.
They caution that policies like Schedule F could cultivate a culture of fear and silence in the federal workforce, ultimately compromising government efficiency.
As the Trump administration gears up for these extensive changes, the identification of federal employees opposing the new direction has already begun, with conservative groups like the American Accountability Foundation pointing out individuals within the military and other agencies who they believe do not align with Trump’s priorities.
The outcome of these plans, which includes the possibility of widespread firings and job reclassifications, will hinge on the pace of the Trump administration's actions and the response from federal employees and lawmakers.
A major aspect of the plan includes an executive order to strip job protections from up to 50,000 federal employees, enabling political appointees to take their place.
This initiative to install political loyalists in government roles is anticipated to span various agencies, with an emphasis on quickly filling political appointments.
The Trump administration has already prompted the resignation of senior diplomats at the U.S. State Department, aligning with his broader aim to overhaul the federal bureaucracy.
Russell Vought, a central figure in the transition, has been nominated to return as director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Vought previously assisted in developing the Schedule F reclassification order, which would permit agencies to convert career positions into political roles.
This would simplify the process for the administration to dismiss employees without cause and appoint loyalists in their stead.
Other prominent nominees, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi and national security advisor Mike Waltz, have expressed support for transforming the federal workforce.
The Trump team has clearly stated that they perceive federal bureaucrats as hindering their agenda during his first term, with some officials accused of delaying initiatives in departments such as Justice and Education.
Critics, including federal employee unions, contend that the notion of a 'deep state' is a conspiracy theory aimed at justifying executive overreach.
They caution that policies like Schedule F could cultivate a culture of fear and silence in the federal workforce, ultimately compromising government efficiency.
As the Trump administration gears up for these extensive changes, the identification of federal employees opposing the new direction has already begun, with conservative groups like the American Accountability Foundation pointing out individuals within the military and other agencies who they believe do not align with Trump’s priorities.
The outcome of these plans, which includes the possibility of widespread firings and job reclassifications, will hinge on the pace of the Trump administration's actions and the response from federal employees and lawmakers.
