President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) today extending the hiring freeze on executive branch civilian federal employees through mid-July.
The original hiring freeze was put in place the day he took office. The new Executive Order extends the hiring freeze through July 15, 2025.
The EO states, “No Federal civilian position that is presently vacant may be filled, and no new position may be created, except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or required by applicable law.”
The EO clarifies that once a merit hiring plan has been adopted as outlined under one of Trump’s previous executive orders, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service, any hiring of employees exempt from the freeze shall be consistent with that plan.
The prior EO stipulated that hiring in the federal government would prioritize hiring individuals who are committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government and are committed to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution. Hiring also would not be based on individuals’ race, sex, or religion.
Upon expiration of the hiring freeze and implementation of the hiring plan, agencies will be able to hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart from federal service (with appropriate immigration, law enforcement, and public safety exceptions).
It further adds that the hiring freeze “continues to apply to all executive departments and agencies (agencies) regardless of their sources of operational and programmatic funding. This memorandum does not affect the deadline for the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit a plan for reducing the size of the Federal Government’s workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition, as provided in Executive Order 14210 of February 11, 2025 (Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative).”
Military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety positions are exempt from the freeze. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may continue to grant exceptions as necessary.
The EO also notes that the hiring freeze will not “adversely impact the provision of Social Security, Medicare, or veterans’ benefits.” This was a stipulation of the January 20 hiring freeze memo as well.
It also directs federal agencies to use existing personnel and funds efficiently to improve public services as part of carrying out the terms of the EO. Reallocations and reassignments are allowed to meet priority needs, maintain essential services, and protect national security.
A fact sheet on the EO published by the White House explains the purpose of extending the hiring freeze as follows:
The extension of the hiring freeze is a critical step in shrinking the federal government and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.
- In the last two years of the Biden Administration, government was directly responsible for the creation of more than 1 in every 4 jobs.
- President Trump is committed to reversing this trend by prioritizing private-sector job growth and reducing the federal workforce to focus on essential functions.
