00:00Federal rules finalized this week could significantly change job protections for tens of thousands of U.S. government employees whose roles are classified as policy-related.
00:08The Office of Personnel Management released the final version of a regulation, creating a new employment category known as Schedule Policy slash Career.
00:16The designation applies to federal workers whose duties are described as confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating.
00:23Positions potentially affected include scientists, attorneys, analysts, bank examiners, and information technology staff.
00:30Once the rule is formally published in the Federal Register, the president will have authority, after a 30-day period, to reclassify an estimated 50,000 career civil servants under the new category.
00:39Employees placed into Schedule Policy slash Career would lose access to the Merit Systems Protection Board, limiting their ability to appeal disciplinary actions or termination.
00:47The rule revives an initiative pursued during President Donald Trump's first term, commonly referred to as Schedule F.
00:53which was later reversed under President Joe Biden.
00:55On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order directing agencies to restart the effort.
01:00The final rule cites concerns about policy resistance within federal agencies.
01:04Examples referenced include government employees continuing work or releasing reports that conflict with administration priorities.
01:10A cited case involves national, oceanic, and atmospheric administration scientists publishing findings stating that climate change is real and human-caused.
01:18Administration officials say the rule is intended to improve accountability and ensure alignment with presidential policy goals, while maintaining protections against discrimination and retaliation.
01:27Federal employee unions and advocacy groups have announced plans to challenge the rule in court, arguing it could increase politicization within the civil service and affect government operations nationwide in scope.
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