Trump Preparing For Mass Firing?

The Trump administration finalized a major federal workforce rule on Thursday designed to give the White House greater authority to remove government employees who work directly on policy matters — a move officials say is long overdue to ensure accountability inside Washington.

The regulation, known as Schedule Policy/Career, affects an estimated 50,000 federal employees whose roles influence policy decisions. Under the new classification, these workers can be dismissed more easily if they obstruct or actively undermine the administration’s priorities.

Administration officials say the change is necessary to address long-standing problems inside the federal bureaucracy, where career employees often remain in powerful positions regardless of election outcomes.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that unelected bureaucrats should not be allowed to override the policies chosen by voters. The administration says the rule restores democratic accountability by ensuring federal agencies follow the direction of elected leadership.

White House: Rule Targets Obstruction, Not Political Beliefs

Officials stressed that the policy is not aimed at punishing political opinions.

“This is not about someone’s personal views,” said Office of Personnel Management Director Scott Kupor. “It’s about whether federal employees are doing their jobs on behalf of the American people and carrying out the objectives of the administration they serve.”

According to Kupor, employees are free to disagree internally. But when disagreement turns into deliberate resistance or interference, the administration says consequences must follow.

Federal Unions Push Back

Federal employee unions immediately criticized the rule, arguing it weakens civil service protections and could lead to politicization of government agencies.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) accused the administration of dismantling a merit-based system and undermining whistleblower protections. Union leaders warned that the rule could allow political favoritism to replace professional expertise.

Changes to Whistleblower Reporting

One of the most controversial aspects of the rule involves whistleblower procedures.

Under Schedule Policy/Career, affected employees will no longer be able to file complaints with the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency. Instead, complaints must be handled internally within their own agency.

Those investigations will be overseen by the agency’s general counsel — typically a presidential appointee — who will assign an independent reviewer not directly involved in the alleged wrongdoing.

Administration officials say the new process closes loopholes that have been exploited for political leaks while still allowing legitimate complaints to be reviewed.

Legal Challenges Expected

Progressive legal groups and unions are expected to resume lawsuits that were paused during the rulemaking process. Democracy Forward, which previously challenged the policy, claims the regulation exceeds executive authority and violates existing civil service law.

The move follows Trump’s earlier Schedule F proposal during his first term, which faced court challenges before it could be fully implemented. That policy was later reversed under President Joe Biden, whose administration imposed new restrictions on reclassifying federal employees — restrictions now being rolled back.

Supporters Say Bureaucracy Has Become Unaccountable

Supporters of the rule argue that the federal government has grown bloated and resistant to reform, insulated from voter accountability and protected by layers of regulation.

An Office of Personnel Management official said recent leaks of confidential policy drafts demonstrate the very problem the rule is meant to address.

“We see constant examples of misconduct, resistance to lawful policy, and poor performance,” the official said. “This isn’t rare — it’s systemic.”

Critics Warn of Disruption

Democratic lawmakers warned the rule could discourage experienced professionals from public service and disrupt federal operations. They argue the civil service system has provided continuity and stability for decades.

Administration officials counter that continuity should not mean defiance — and that elections carry consequences.

A Broader Effort to Reshape Washington

The rule represents one of the Trump administration’s most aggressive efforts to reform Washington’s permanent bureaucracy and reassert executive authority over federal agencies.

As court challenges move forward, the policy is expected to remain a central flashpoint in the broader debate over government accountability, executive power, and the role of career bureaucrats in shaping national policy.