President Trump issued a memorandum establishing a policy to govern the hiring of Federal civilian employees within the Executive Branch until October 15, 2025.
The policy generally prohibits filling vacant positions or creating new ones unless otherwise specified in the memorandum or required by law.
Exceptions are made for positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety, as well as for Presidential appointments and Senate confirmations.
The policy aims to ensure accountability, prioritize public safety, and aligns with the Merit Hiring Plan under Executive Order 14170.
Contracting to circumvent this policy is prohibited.
Arguments For
Improved Efficiency and Resource Allocation: The freeze on new hires and vacant positions forces agencies to prioritize existing personnel and resources, potentially leading to more efficient service delivery.
Enhanced Public Safety: By focusing hiring on crucial roles in public safety and national security, the policy aims to strengthen these sectors.
Strengthened Merit-Based Hiring: Aligning with Executive Order 14170, the memorandum aims to promote meritocratic principles in Federal hiring, improving the quality of government service.
Reduced Spending: Restricting hiring can help to reduce budgetary expenses and improve cost-effectiveness within the executive branch.
Arguments Against
Potential for Service Disruptions: A hiring freeze may lead to understaffing in some areas, impacting the timely delivery of essential services and potentially causing public inconvenience.
Difficulty in Adapting to Changing Needs: The rigidity of the policy may impede the ability of agencies to quickly adapt to emergent needs, technological advancements, or changing priorities.
Circumvention Through Contracting: The memorandum’s prohibition of circumventing the hiring freeze through federal contracting might prove difficult to enforce, leading to potential loopholes and added costs.
Negative Impacts on Morale: Possible understaffing and increased workload for existing employees could create stress and diminish morale within government agencies.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Ensuring Accountability and Prioritizing Public Safety in Federal Hiring
This section introduces the memorandum's purpose, addressing the heads of executive departments and agencies regarding federal hiring practices.
It sets the subject as ensuring accountability and prioritizing public safety in these hiring processes.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, the following policy shall govern the hiring of Federal civilian employees within the Executive Branch through October 15, 2025: no Federal civilian position that is presently vacant may be filled, and no new position may be created, except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or required by applicable law. In addition, any hiring shall be consistent with the Merit Hiring Plan that was issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on May 29, 2025, pursuant to Executive Order 14170 of January 20, 2025 (Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service).
This section establishes the core policy: A freeze on filling vacant federal civilian positions or creating new ones until October 15, 2025.
Exceptions are allowed if explicitly mentioned in the memorandum or mandated by law.
Additionally, any hiring must comply with the Merit Hiring Plan, following Executive Order 14170.
Except as provided below, this policy applies to all executive departments and agencies (agencies) regardless of their sources of operational and programmatic funding.
This section clarifies the broad applicability of the policy across all executive departments and agencies, irrespective of their funding sources, with exceptions detailed in subsequent sections.
This memorandum does not apply to military personnel of the Armed Forces or to positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety, and does not apply to the Executive Office of the President or the components thereof. Positions that fall within these categories do not require review by OPM. Moreover, nothing in this memorandum shall adversely impact the provision of Social Security, Medicare, or veterans’ healthcare or benefits. In addition, the Director of OPM may continue to grant exemptions from this policy where those exemptions are otherwise necessary. Further, the following process shall apply to (1) each executive department and (2) each independent establishment authorized by OPM to use the process: hires that have been approved in writing by the executive department or independent establishment head, the executive department or independent establishment chief of staff, or an officer appointed by the President may proceed one business day after such official has transmitted a copy of such approval to OPM. Exemptions previously granted by OPM shall remain in effect unless withdrawn by OPM. For the purposes of this memorandum, the term “executive department” means a department listed in section 101 of title 5, United States Code, and “independent establishment” has the meaning given that term in section 104(1) of title 5, United States Code.
This section outlines exceptions to the hiring freeze.
It excludes military personnel, positions vital to national security, public safety, and immigration enforcement.
The Executive Office of the President is also exempt.
Existing provisions for Social Security, Medicare, and veteran benefits will not be negatively impacted.
The Director of OPM retains authority to grant exemptions.
A process for expedited hiring is also detailed for certain approved hires.
Contracting outside the Federal Government to circumvent the intent of this memorandum is prohibited.
This section explicitly prohibits using outside contractors to bypass the hiring freeze, maintaining the integrity of the policy.
In carrying out this memorandum, the heads of agencies shall seek efficient use of existing personnel and funds to improve public services and the delivery of those services. Accordingly, this memorandum does not prohibit making staff reallocations or reassignments to meet the highest priority needs, maintain essential services, and protect national security, homeland security, and public safety.
Agencies are directed to optimize use of current staff and funds to improve service delivery.
The memorandum does not prevent internal staff reallocations or reassignments to address critical needs or ensure national security.
This memorandum does not restrict the nomination and appointment of officials to positions requiring Presidential appointment or Senate confirmation; the appointment of officials to non-career positions in the Senior Executive Service or to Schedule A or C positions in the Excepted Service; the appointment of officials through temporary organization hiring authority pursuant to section 3161 of title 5, United States Code; or the appointment of any other non-career employees or officials if approved by the head of an agency appointed by the President or another official appointed by the President. Moreover, it does not limit the hiring of personnel where such a limit would conflict with applicable law.
This section clarifies that the policy does not affect presidential appointments, Senate confirmations, or other specific employment categories (non-career, Senior Executive Service etc).
Hiring restrictions will not override any existing laws.
This memorandum does not abrogate any collective bargaining agreement in effect on the date of this memorandum.
The memorandum explicitly states that it does not invalidate any existing collective bargaining agreements.
DONALD J. TRUMP
This section includes the President's signature.