Unions Challenge Trump’s Executive Order Reclassifying Federal Workers

In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from federal employee unions, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order reintroducing “Schedule F,” a classification that reassigns thousands of career civil servants as at-will employees.

This reclassification, announced on January 29, 2025, aims to streamline the removal of underperforming personnel but has raised concerns about potential politicization of the federal workforce. 

The executive order targets positions involved in policy-making, allowing for expedited hiring and firing processes. Critics argue that this could lead to the dismissal of employees based on political affiliations rather than performance.

The American Federation of Government Employees has expressed strong opposition, stating that the order undermines the merit-based civil service system and opens the door to political interference in federal operations.

This development follows a series of administrative actions aimed at restructuring the federal workforce, including offering buyouts to employees and mandating a return to in-office work.

Unions are preparing to challenge the executive order, citing concerns over job security and the potential erosion of nonpartisan public service.