Restoring Accountability (E.O. 14171)

Summary

Brings back a rule making it easier for the President to hire and fire federal workers who are in jobs that help make government policy.

What problem does this solve?

It is very difficult for supervisors to remove federal workers who perform poorly or do not follow orders, which weakens the President's control. This order brings back a policy that reclassifies policy-making jobs, making it easier to fire employees who fail to carry out the administration's goals.

What does this order do?

Reinstates prior policy for policy-making jobs

Immediately brings back Executive Order 13957, which created a new class of federal jobs for employees in policy-influencing roles, making them easier to hire and fire.

Revokes protections for the federal workforce

Cancels Executive Order 14003, which was created to protect the federal workforce, and orders agencies to undo any policies that were put in place because of it.

Renames 'Schedule F' to 'Schedule Policy/Career'

Changes the name of the new job classification from 'Schedule F' to 'Schedule Policy/Career' for all federal employees in these positions.

Sets grounds for dismissal

States that while employees in these roles do not have to personally support the President, they must faithfully carry out the administration's policies or they can be fired.

Directs Office of Personnel Management to make changes

Orders the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to quickly change civil service rules to align with this order and to stop following certain existing regulations.

Who does this affect?

Federal employees in policy-making roles
Heads of executive departments and agencies
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

What is the real world impact?

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Increases presidential control over federal agencies

Ensures that federal employees in policy-making roles are directly accountable to the President and faithfully carry out the administration's agenda, preventing internal resistance to executive directives.

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Politicizes the federal workforce

Removes job protections for thousands of career civil servants in policy roles, potentially allowing for their replacement based on political loyalty rather than merit. This could weaken the non-partisan nature of the civil service.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately on January 20, 2025, and includes a specific deadline for further action.

Guidance on additional positions

Within 30 days of January 20, 2025, the Director of OPM must issue guidance on other job types that should be considered for the new 'Schedule Policy/Career' classification.