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Partnership for Public Service statement on federal workforce executive orders

January 21, 2025

The nonpartisan nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier responding to the series of Jan. 20 executive orders related to reshaping the federal workforce signed by President Donald Trump: 

“Last night, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders seeking to fundamentally change the purpose and management of the nation’s federal civil service. Our civil service system desperately needs reforms to better serve the public good, and some of the actions announced last night could make a positive difference. 

“In particular, I’m encouraged by the Trump administration’s intent to improve the federal hiring process. Federal managers do need better tools to hire qualified talent, deal with poor performers and promote greater accountability in the workforce. They also need modern IT systems and technology tools to better serve the public, and I am also encouraged that the new U.S. DOGE Service will be focused on these efforts. 

“However, taken as a whole, the majority of these executive actions would take us farther from, not closer to, a civil service system that prizes merit, expertise and professionalism free from political interference. A civil service staffed by people chosen for their political loyalty rather than their skill will result in a government less capable of serving the public and more likely to become a tool for retribution and actions counter to democratic principles. A more political government is not a better government for the American people. 

“Our government needs serious improvements, but the way to do it is by keeping guardrails in place and not politicizing the career civil service. Making real reforms to hiring and talent retention, accountability, leadership development, technology and customer service can help build a better government more capable of meeting the public’s needs. Unfortunately, many of the actions announced last night would put that goal farther out of reach.” 

Visit the Partnership’s new Federal Employee Resource Hub for more information about how these policies may impact civil servants. 

During the past 24 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.   

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