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Trump Finalizes Rule Reclassifying 50,000 Federal Workers as At-Will Employees

The new 'Schedule Policy/Career' rule strips civil service protections from policy-influencing roles, drawing legal challenges and union opposition.

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People attend a rally in support of federal workers outside the 26 Federal Plaza, a federal office building in New York City, U.S., March 25, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during a swearing in ceremony for Dr. Mehmet Oz to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Washington.
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Overview

  • The Office of Personnel Management has published the final rule reclassifying approximately 50,000 federal employees as 'at-will,' removing key civil service protections.
  • The reclassification targets employees in policymaking roles, allowing agencies to terminate them for poor performance, misconduct, or undermining presidential directives.
  • The rule, a revival of Trump's first-term 'Schedule F,' is part of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint for reshaping the federal workforce.
  • Labor unions, including AFGE and AFSCME, have filed lawsuits arguing the administration overstepped its authority in reversing Biden-era protections for civil servants.
  • Critics warn the move undermines the merit-based civil service system, while the administration claims it enhances accountability and efficiency in government operations.