Partnership for Public Service statement on executive order reclassifying federal employees  

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier in response to President Trump’s executive order reclassifying thousands of federal workers as at-will employees under the recently created Schedule Policy/Career designation, stripping them of longstanding job protections:

“This executive order has flung open the door to a new spoils system within our federal government. Nonpartisan public servants who swore an oath to the Constitution are now vulnerable to politically motivated removal with no explanation or right of appeal.

“The first spoils system was dismantled in the United States generations ago because it produced a corrupt, ineffective government that served the powerful rather than the public good. Renaming it does not change what it is.

“Removing poor performers when warranted is an important goal, but it’s just one piece of a much larger talent management puzzle that includes strong hiring practices, well-resourced HR offices and effective leadership. This administration is hiding the ball in claiming that this new schedule will address the challenge of poor performers in our government. Loyalty to the president rather than effective service to the public will be the new coin of the realm.

“Now, more than ever we need experienced, independent public servants who follow the law, speak truth to power and do their jobs regardless of who is in the White House. This executive order undermines all of that, and the consequences for the American people will be felt far beyond this administration.”

Recent polling conducted for the Partnership for Public Service found that 66% of Americans oppose the politicization of the civil service, including majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independent voters. Learn more about the Partnership’s public perception research here.

The Partnership for Public Service is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. Over the past 25 years and across five presidential administrations, we have offered government agencies and leaders crucial training and insights to better serve the public, championed legislation for effective government and shined a spotlight on the achievements of the federal workforce.

Now, building on our decades of experience, we engage the public about the value of government and how its erosion harms us all and advance reforms that seek to make our federal institutions more effective, responsive and accountable to the American people. We also strengthen leadership in federal, state and local government, help federal workers navigate an increasingly complex federal environment and provide former public servants with opportunities to shape efforts to transform government.

Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.

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