The Trump admin is working to reshape the federal workforce
Image: Andrew Harnik/AP
In his first few days after taking office on Monday, President Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at reshaping the federal governmentâs 2.3 million-person workforce.
Moving to eliminate DEI: On Tuesday, Trump signed an order revoking Executive Order 11246, a Civil Rights-era policy which previously mandated that all employees of federal contractors receive equal treatment and opportunities "without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.â
- In the order, Trump framed the move as streamlining the governmentâs contracting process âto enhance speed and efficiency, reduce costs, and require Federal contractors and subcontractors to comply with our civil-rights laws.â
- Trumpâs order also calls for executive departments and agencies to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) preferences at all levels, claiming they violate federal anti-discrimination laws.
- In a separate move, Trump directed all federal DEI staff to be placed on administrative leave before eventually being laid off.
Other major changes: In a series of executive orders issued Monday, Trump implemented a return-to-office mandate for all US departments and agencies, instituted a government-wide hiring freeze, revamped federal hiring rules, and enacted additional changes making it easier to fire senior government employees.
- These orders were paired with the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency intended to help Trump enact large cuts to the federal government, including potentially some entire agencies.
- Analysts say these changes will likely end up driving many government employees out of their jobs â a goal the Trump administration is explicitly aiming for.
Looking aheadâŚTrumpâs executive actions are expected to be met with pushback from union leaders in the government workforce, with some already suing to stop parts of his new orders.
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Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the efforts of President Trump and conservative government officials like Texas Governor Greg Abbott are a threat to the institutions that uplift people from minority or low-income communities, both in the workforce and education.
- Others contend that Trumpâs proposed changes to the federal workforce, such as the end of remote work as the norm, could cause more harm than good by making it harder for federal workers to compete. Federal unions are bound to oppose these changes.
- Is DEI the new âcommunism?â Trump and Abbott follow familiar playbook.â âHouston Chronicle Editorial Board
- âTrump Canceling Remote Work for Federal Workers Could Cause Serious Problems for Everyone.â âPhenex S. Halley, MSN
- âDiversity Can Be the Superpowerâs Superpower.ââFarah Stockman, New York Times
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that racial equality has become a euphemism for overly progressive policies and that Trump is now bringing back race-neutral and fair assessment to the workforce.
- Others contend that Trumpâs hiring freeze will be an efficient and much-needed method of keeping the federal government from wasting money on vacant offices and making good use of tax dollars to fund the services citizens pay for.
- âTrumpâs valuable blow to DEI, there was no âBiden doctrineâ and other commentary.â âNew York Post Editorial Board
- âEditorial: Trumpâs fed hiring freeze a shot across the bloated budget bow.â âBoston Herald Editorial Board
- âNow is not the time to backtrack on commitment to diversity.â âWillie Wilson, Chicago Tribune
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