Good government experts warn that President Trump’s revival of Schedule F, inserting new criteria into the hiring process and demand for a list of all feds who are still on their probationary period portend a mass firing of career workers as the new administration seeks to reshape the federal bureaucracy.

The classification, which makes it easier to fire federal workers, is also the subject of congressional legislation.

Federal employees in DEI roles will be placed on leave by 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to an OPM memo, following President Trump's executive order.

The executive order brings back "Schedule F," that allows many federal employees to be reclassified as political appointees, making it easier to remove workers deemed insufficiently loyal to his administration.

President Trump reinstated a revised executive order from his first term that would make it easier for the White House to remove policy-facing federal employees — including Senior Executive Service employees.

OPM said technological advances necessitated the changes, but some stakeholders argued the modifications still don’t reflect current governmental needs.

Executive orders are written directives issued by a president that manage the operations of the U.S. government. They have the force of law similar to regulations issued by federal agencies, according to the American Bar Association.

The Biden administration issued a last-minute executive order on AI infrastructure. And OPM has a new IT chief.

Employees in the programs will be placed on paid administrative leave. Agencies have the next few days to submit reports on how they are complying with the orders, including plans to fire them.

President Donald Trump's first days back in office garnered praise from his supporters and opposition and discontent from those impacted by his executive orders and other plans DW has more.