Former President Donald Trump is again weighing steps to expand the number of federal employees who could be moved out of traditional civil service protections, according to discussion and reporting shared by federal workers on Reddit’s r/fednews. The move would revive and potentially broaden “Schedule F,” a job classification created late in Trump’s first term that critics said could weaken merit-based hiring and make it easier to remove career staff.
- Trump created Schedule F on Oct. 21, 2020, via executive order, aiming to reclassify certain policy-related roles as “excepted service,” reducing standard civil service due-process protections.
- President Joe Biden revoked that order on Jan. 22, 2021, restoring prior classifications and protections.
- r/fednews users say Trump allies are signaling a renewed push to reinstate Schedule F and widen its scope if Trump returns to office, potentially affecting positions involved in policy, legal interpretation, communications, procurement, and program oversight.
- Any reclassification effort would likely be implemented through an executive order and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, with agencies directed to identify roles for conversion.
- Federal employees in affected positions could face easier reassignment or removal and fewer procedural hurdles compared with competitive service rules, according to the concerns raised in the r/fednews thread.
Brief context
Schedule F was introduced in the final months of Trump’s first term as part of a broader effort to increase managerial flexibility over employees involved in policy work. Supporters argued it would improve accountability for senior career staff who shape or influence policy. Opponents warned it could politicize the career workforce, erode the merit system, and create pressure on employees to align with political priorities.
Biden’s 2021 revocation halted implementation before it was fully realized across agencies. Since then, OPM and the White House have taken additional steps aimed at strengthening merit-system protections and limiting the ability to reclassify career roles into categories with fewer safeguards.
r/fednews users pointed to renewed public statements and planning talk tied to a potential second Trump administration, framing Schedule F as a central tool for reshaping parts of the federal workforce. While no new executive order has been issued, the discussion reflects heightened concern among career employees about job security, reassignment risk, and the stability of long-standing civil service rules.
What it means for you
If Schedule F returns in an expanded form, the impact would depend on whether your position is designated as policy-influencing or confidential. Employees in roles flagged for conversion could see changes to:
- Removal and appeal procedures
- Reassignment and mobility requirements
- Hiring and promotion rules tied to competitive service protections
Workers who believe their duties could be classified as policy-related may want to review their position description and performance elements and monitor agency communications and OPM guidance for any reclassification instructions.
Source: Reddit — r/fednews