Federal workers across the U.S. are bracing for possible workforce changes under President-elect Donald Trump, with renewed attention on a potential reinstatement of Schedule F. This executive order, initially introduced in 2020, could allow for significant restructuring within the civil service by permitting mass reassignments or terminations of certain federal employees.
Some employees and analysts are expressing concerns that this approach may influence traditionally nonpartisan roles within federal agencies. Ronald Sanders, a former Trump appointee who resigned in protest during Trump’s first term, noted the potential impact on career-based positions and cautioned against using Schedule F as a tool for promoting loyalty over merit.
Since the federal workforce spans a wide range of roles across the U.S., including a large concentration in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area, analysts suggest any widespread workforce restructuring could have substantial effects on local economies. Trump’s previous relocation efforts, such as moving Bureau of Land Management headquarters from Washington, DC, to Colorado, resulted in the departure of many staff members, raising concerns about additional relocations or cuts in key areas of the federal government.
Union leaders, like Everett Kelley from the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents a significant portion of federal workers, have voiced the importance of maintaining a politically neutral civil service. The union is preparing potential legal challenges, while advocacy groups are also considering ways to support employees.
Federal workers in agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are particularly attentive, with union leadership taking measures to uphold protections around scientific integrity and data transparency. For many, the primary message from union leaders is to focus on their roles and avoid undue political influence as they await further clarity on potential federal workforce policies.
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