Trump government establishes a new employee category for non-permanent personnel
President Trump's executive order on July 17, 2025, introduced a new federal employment category known as Schedule G. This initiative aims to designate non-career, political positions that are policy-making or policy-advocating in nature [1][2][3]. These positions are exempt from the competitive service, allowing individuals to be hired without the usual competitive exams and without requiring Senate confirmation.
The creation of Schedule G broadens the scope of political appointments in the federal government beyond the existing Schedule C appointments, which cover confidential and policy-determining roles [1][2][3]. Unlike Schedule C, Schedule G explicitly targets higher-level policy-making or advocacy positions, potentially allowing appointments at more senior grades without competitive hiring.
The Trump administration describes Schedule G as a means to increase agency “horsepower” for implementing its policy agenda. The goal is to improve government efficiency and accountability by facilitating quicker and more streamlined appointments to key policy roles, particularly in agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs [2][3].
However, critics argue that this shift towards a patronage system prioritizing political loyalty over merit-based expertise could erode the professional, nonpartisan civil service [1]. By creating Schedule G, there is a risk of increasing the number of political appointees who can be removed at will, undermining institutional knowledge and state capacity.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has supported the implementation of Schedule G, providing guidance to help agencies incorporate Schedule G roles consistently in workforce planning. This alignment falls in line with President Trump’s broader personnel reforms and civic leadership training initiatives [5].
In summary, Schedule G is an initiative aimed at expanding political appointments in federal agencies, focusing on senior policy roles exempt from traditional competitive hiring. While it is intended to enhance policy implementation, concerns about politicizing the federal workforce and diminishing merit-based civil service protections persist [1][2][3][5].
Meanwhile, other developments in federal employment include the House defense bill authorising the department to create up to 12 generative artificial intelligence lines of effort, and the extension of software bills of material to artificial intelligence within the Defense Department [4]. The Harvard Kennedy School for public policy has also launched a scholarship program exclusively for civil servants, offering a full ride to at least 50 individuals seeking to earn a master's degree in public policy [6].
References:
- The Hill
- Government Executive
- Brookings Institution
- C4ISRNET
- OPM Guidance
- Harvard Kennedy School
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