Story perspectives

Trump Reclassifies 8,000 Federal Workers, Unions File Lawsuit

6/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump signed an order on June 3, 2026 reclassifying 8,000 federal workers as at-will employees under the Schedule Policy/Career category.
The Office of Personnel Management’s rule, which received 40,000 comments with 94% opposition, is said by OPM Director Scott Kupor to boost accountability.
Federal unions and Democracy Forward sued, arguing the change strips protections such as Merit Systems Protection Board appeals and student-loan repayment eligibility and exceeds presidential authority.

History

Historical Context

The Pendleton Act of 1883 introduced merit hiring, later expanded by the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act that covered about 2.1 million federal workers and created the Merit Systems Protection Board. In October 2020 Trump issued Schedule F to move jobs out of the competitive service, and in June 2026 OPM Director Scott Kupor reported a new order reclassifying 8,000 staff as at-will, prompting lawsuits.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump signed an order on June 3, 2026 reclassifying 8,000 federal workers as at-will employees under the Schedule Policy/Career category.
The Office of Personnel Management’s rule, which received 40,000 comments with 94% opposition, is said by OPM Director Scott Kupor to boost accountability.
Federal unions and Democracy Forward sued, arguing the change strips protections such as Merit Systems Protection Board appeals and student-loan repayment eligibility and exceeds presidential authority.

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