New Rule Makes It Easier to Dismiss Federal Employees

New Rule Makes It Easier to Dismiss Federal Employees

On Thursday, the Trump administration announced a new rule aimed at simplifying the process for terminating federal employees. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) stated that it would be reclassifying certain civil service positions so that agencies can “quickly remove employees from critical positions who engage in misconduct, perform poorly, or obstruct the democratic process by intentionally subverting Presidential directives.”

Historically, only political appointees-around 4,000 roles-could be let go “at will.”

With this new rule, many nonpartisan jobs will transition into a category called “Schedule Policy/Career,” which effectively treats them like political appointees. This change could enable the administration to dismiss workers they consider disloyal. The rule is scheduled to appear in the Federal Register on Friday and also mentions that “personal or political loyalty tests as a condition of employment” are banned.

Opponents argue this shift paves the way for politically driven firings. “We have successfully fought this kind of power grab before, and we will fight this again. We will return to court to stop this unlawful rule and will use every legal tool available to hold this administration accountable to the people,” stated Skye Perryman, CEO of Democracy Forward.

The largest union representing federal workers criticized the rule as “a direct assault on a professional, nonpartisan, merit-based civil service.” In a statement, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) president Everett Kelley said OPM is “rebranding career public servants as ‘policy’ employees, silencing whistleblowers, and replacing competent professionals with political flunkies without any neutral, independent protections against politicization and arbitrary abuse of power.”

Trump had briefly implemented a similar policy towards the end of his first term through an executive order known as “Schedule F,” which Joe Biden overturned when he took office in 2021. Removing civil service protections has also been a key element of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan.

In anticipation of the rule’s release on Thursday, OPM director Scott Kupor mentioned that reclassification would provide “much-needed accountability to career policy-influencing positions in the Federal government.”

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Updated at 12.07 EST

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Of note, Leavitt says that the president will announce the unveiling of Trump Rx at 7pm ET on Thursday. This will be a new website that helps Americans buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers.

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Karoline Leavitt holds White House press briefing

Karoline Leavitt kicked off today’s White House press briefing noting that she and Donald Trump were watching the press conference about the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, the mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie. Leavitt described the situation as “heartbreaking” and noted that she spoke with the FBI directly about the ongoing investigation today.

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More than 26,000 people without criminal records in ICE detention

My colleagues Will Craft and Andrew Witherspoon have collated the latest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data, reporting that over 26,000 individuals without criminal records are currently detained by ICE. For context, this figure is up from just 2,760 when Donald Trump returned to office last year.

You can read the full report here:

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Arizona sheriff says Savannah Guthrie’s mother is ‘still out there’ as search continues

Chris Nanos, Pima County Sheriff stated today that local authorities believe Nancy Guthrie is “still out there,” following her disappearance nearly five days ago. “We just want her home and find a way to get to bottom of this,” Nanos said.

The FBI is now supporting Pima County officials in their investigation; however Nanos added they do not yet have any suspects as he addressed reporters on Thursday. “We’re not there yet,” he explained.

Chris Nanos speaks to media in Tucson Arizona February 3rd 2026 Photograph: Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images

Donald Trump also mentioned today having had “productive” conversations with Keir Starmer regarding Diego Garcia in Chagos Islands calling it “of great importance” for U. S National Security interests.”

Previously labeling UK PM’s Chagos deal “an act of great stupidity”, linking it back with his ambition surrounding Greenland acquisition; Trump expressed via Truth Social post understanding it’s “the best deal he [Starmer] could make.”

The former president continued saying if anything threatens U. S operations at Base anytime down road he retains rights for military reinforcement actions around Diego Garcia.”

The previous week Starmer asserted US intelligence agencies disagreed with Trump’s newfound opposition toward agreement emphasizing how US administration previously backed it strengthening their defenses.

An aerial view shows Diego Garcia – largest island within Chagos Archipelago- where joint UK-US military base has existed since late ’70s photograph: AP

The ex-president declared his total endorsement for Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi ahead legislative elections coming Sunday adding they’ll meet March19th White House.

“Prime Minister Takaichi deserves significant recognition considering job she along Coalition performing”, tweeted Trump’s post dated social platform.

“Thus it’s my honor granting complete total endorsement.”

Takaichi expected victory upon snap election held upcoming Sunday.

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Revealed: private jet owned by Trump friend used by ICE deport Palestinians West Bank< / h …

Harry Davies , Alice Speri , Sufian Taha

On morning January , Israeli authorities left eight Palestinian men checkpoint West Bank. Disoriented cold dressed prison-issued tracksuits carried belongings plastic bags.

Hours earlier shackled wrists ankles plush leather seats private jet owned Florida property tycoon Gil Dezer longtime business partner Donald Trump.

Dezer also donor friend Donald Jr member Miami branch Friends Israel Defense Forces.

His sleek Gulfstream jet called ` my little rocket ship` transported men airport near notorious removal center Arizona Tel Aviv made three refueling stops en route New Jersey Ireland Bulgaria.

Guardian investigation established flight part secretive politically sensitive US government operation deport Palestinians arrested ICE Israeli occupied West Bank.Gil Dezer Donald Trump event Miami Herald Tribune News Service Getty Images

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