Executive Order Allows Easier Termination of 8,000 Federal Workers

On June 4, 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that reclassifies 8,000 federal workers as at-will employees, allowing for their termination without cause. This order follows a rule established by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) earlier in the year, which created a new category of at-will employees known as 'Schedule Policy/Career.' James Sherk, a member of the Domestic Policy Council, stated that the difficulty in firing federal employees has been a long-standing issue, particularly for senior policymakers. With this new order, the number of federal employees subject to at-will procedures increases from 4,000 to 12,000. Critics, including Max Stier, CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, have expressed concerns that this order could lead to a prioritization of political loyalty over effective public service. Miles Taylor, a former chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security, also criticized the order, alleging it violates civil service law and expands Trump's political influence within the government. The OPM had initially estimated that up to 50,000 workers could be affected by these changes.