President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday establishing the “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative. The order sets forth a comprehensive plan to reform the federal workforce by eliminating redundancies, streamlining hiring practices, and reining in unnecessary spending.
The executive order declares its purpose as a critical transformation of the federal bureaucracy. “By eliminating waste, bloat, and insularity, my Administration will empower American families, workers, taxpayers, and our system of Government itself,” the order states, emphasizing a renewed commitment to accountability and efficient governance.
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Among the central elements of the initiative is a strict hiring ratio. In accordance with a prior Presidential Memorandum, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with developing a plan to reduce the federal workforce. Under this plan, each agency will be permitted to hire only one new employee for every four that depart—except in functions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement. Agency Heads are required to work with designated Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Team Leads to ensure that new hires fill only the highest-need positions.
The order also mandates that Agency Heads begin preparations for large-scale reductions in force (RIFs) in areas deemed non-essential by statute or law. Notably, this directive targets programs and initiatives not mandated by law—including diversity, equity, and inclusion projects—that the Administration has suspended or intends to close.
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To ensure tighter control over personnel practices, the order directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to initiate a rulemaking process within 30 days. This rulemaking aims to expand the criteria for employee suitability, focusing on issues such as non-compliance with legal obligations, failure to meet citizenship requirements, and misuse or negligent loss of government resources.
Additionally, Agency Heads must submit reports identifying any statutes that mandate the existence of their agencies or subcomponents. These reports will help determine whether certain agencies should be consolidated or eliminated to further streamline operations.
A final report detailing the implementation of the order, along with recommendations for potential modifications or extensions, is expected from the United States DOGE Service (USDS) Administrator within 240 days.
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While the order is sweeping in scope, it includes important exclusions. Military personnel are not subject to its provisions, and Agency Heads retain the authority to exempt positions critical to national security, homeland security, or public safety.
The order also clarifies that it does not impair the legal authority of any executive department or agency, ensuring that essential functions continue unabated.
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