Schedule Policy/Career (E.O. 14410)

Summary

Creates a new job category to make it easier to fire or reward government workers who help make policy, increasing accountability to the President.

What problem does this solve?

It is very difficult for a President to remove federal employees in policy-making roles who perform poorly or engage in misconduct. This order creates a new job category for these roles, making it easier to hold them accountable and ensure they follow the President's agenda.

What does this order do?

Creates Schedule Policy/Career

Establishes a new category of federal employment called 'Schedule Policy/Career' for employees in roles that influence policy. These positions are hired based on merit but are easier to remove.

Removes certain job protections

Exempts employees in Schedule Policy/Career from the usual difficult procedures for firing, making it easier for supervisors to remove them for poor performance or misconduct.

Transfers many positions into the new schedule

Moves a long list of existing senior, policy-influencing positions from their current job categories into the new Schedule Policy/Career.

Establishes new performance awards

Directs agencies to create a separate bonus pool to reward outstanding employees in Schedule Policy/Career. It also tells the Office of Personnel Management to create a new Presidential award for them.

Amends civil service rules

Changes several government-wide rules for federal employees to officially create and manage the new Schedule Policy/Career category.

Who does this affect?

Federal employees in policy-making roles
Federal government supervisors
Executive branch agencies

What is the real world impact?

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Increases presidential control over the executive branch

Ensures that employees in policy-making roles are aligned with the President's agenda by making it easier to remove those who are not. This helps the President carry out the priorities they were elected to pursue.

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Politicizes the civil service

Critics argue this removes important job protections for career federal employees, making them more vulnerable to political pressure. It could lead to replacing experienced staff with individuals chosen for political loyalty rather than merit, weakening the government's effectiveness.

When does this start?

This order takes effect immediately on June 3, 2026, and sets several deadlines for agencies to take action.

Notify affected employees

Within 7 days of the order (by June 10, 2026), the head of each agency must tell employees whose jobs are being moved into Schedule Policy/Career about the change.

Update civil service rules

Within 60 days of the order (by August 2, 2026), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management must prepare and issue updated Civil Service Rules.