This executive order focuses on improving accountability and performance among federal government employees, particularly those in positions of influence over policy decisions. Here's the key information broken down:

Purpose

• Accountability in the Federal Workforce: The President has constitutional authority over the executive branch and aims to ensure federal employees perform effectively and follow policies.

• Current Challenges: Supervisors report difficulty removing employees for misconduct or poor performance. There are also concerns about employees resisting or undermining the policies of the administration.

• Action Needed: To restore professionalism and accountability, changes are being made for positions that involve policymaking or influence.

What’s Being Reinstated?

• Schedule F Policy Reinstated: A policy from 2020, initially called "Schedule F," is being brought back with updates. It reclassifies certain positions in the federal workforce as “Policy/Career” roles, focusing on policy-related work.

• These positions will have streamlined hiring and dismissal processes to hold employees accountable.

What’s New in This Order?

• Employees in these positions don’t need to personally or politically support the administration but must faithfully implement its policies. Failure to do so could result in dismissal.

• A review of additional roles to be considered for reclassification is required.

• Protections introduced under a 2021 executive order (Executive Order 14003) are revoked, including rules that made it harder to discipline underperforming employees.

Takeaway

While the stated goal of improving accountability and performance among federal government employees is understandable, the reintroduction of the Schedule F policy and its associated changes may have significant negative consequences, particularly in terms of politicization, professionalism, and the long-term stability of the federal workforce. While the policy claims to focus on performance, the reality is that performance is often subjective, and individuals in power may interpret "policy disloyalty" as insufficient support for political objectives rather than poor performance. This could lead to the purging of employees who, for reasons of principle or disagreement with particular policies, may find themselves dismissed despite fulfilling their professional duties competently. Such a dynamic could encourage a climate of fear and self-censorship within federal agencies, as employees may feel pressured to conform to the current administration's stance on every issue, even if it goes against their professional judgment. While the aim of holding federal employees accountable is important, the reinstatement of the Schedule F policy and the broader changes associated with it could lead to significant negative consequences for the professionalism, independence, and trustworthiness of the federal workforce. A more balanced approach that focuses on performance improvement and accountability without resorting to political loyalty tests would be more conducive to long-term stability and effective governance.