Full Breakdown
Trump Administration Reclassifies 8,000 Federal Workers Under Schedule Policy/Career
6/9/2026, 9:55:51 PM
New At-Will Classification Affects Thousands of Senior Federal Employees
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on June 3, 2026 creating the Schedule Policy/Career (SP/C) classification. About 8,000 career federal workers—97 % at the GS-15 or Senior-Level—were moved into an excepted at-will service, losing civil-service protections. Agencies must notify employees and update files by June 10.
Background, Scope, and Implementation
SP/C revives the Schedule F concept and replaces a Biden rescission. White House appendix lists just under 4,900 position-description codes; the Defense Department alone accounts for over 1,600, and other agencies cover about 1,500. OPM guidance outlines a one-step discipline process, sample termination notices, and job-announcement language stating the position is at-will and not subject to MSPB appeal. Agencies must obtain employee acknowledgments and are discouraged from imposing predetermined penalties. All actions must be completed by June 10 deadline.
Employment Rights, Benefits, and Administration Rationale
Reclassified workers lose Title 5 adverse-action protections and cannot appeal dismissals to Merit Systems Protection Board. Senior-Level staff are barred from Presidential Rank Awards and lose eligibility for retention, recruitment, relocation and student-loan repayment incentives. Whistleblower protections remain, though disclosures must go through agency general counsel before reaching Office of Special Counsel. Pay, leave and reduction-in-force rules stay unchanged. OPM Director Scott Kupor said the change restores a democratic process that had made it hard to remove underperforming staff, while a senior administration official said competent employees have no cause for concern.
Opposition, Legal Challenges, and Data Gaps
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association president William Shackelford warned the action would undermine civil-service effectiveness. American Federation of Government Employees president Everett Kelley said the move creates a chilling effect on reporting waste, fraud and abuse. Lawsuits by Democracy Forward and Protect Democracy allege due-process violations and presidential overreach, reaching the Supreme Court. Sources differ on the headcount—some say “close to 8,000,” others “approximately 8,000.” The appendix lists PD codes but omits employee counts per code, seniority levels and occupational series, leaving agencies and staff uncertain about individual reclassifications. OPM and OMB declined comment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is exactly the way the system worked for a very long time.” — Scott Kupor, OPM Director
- “as long as employees are performing their job duties in a competent, professional manner,” — Senior Trump administration official
- “This action will undermine the effectiveness of the civil service in carrying out government operations on behalf of the American people,” — William Shackelford, NARFE President
- “Workers who once felt comfortable reporting waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement at their place of employment because they were protected from retaliation will now be afraid for their jobs if they speak out.” — Everett Kelley, AFGE National President
What’s Next
The lawsuits are moving through federal court, seeking injunctions and declaratory relief. The administration has hinted at expanding SP/C beyond the initial 8,000. Agencies continue processing acknowledgments while monitoring legal outcomes.
