Partnership for Public Service statement on OPM’s move to rescind job protections for thousands of career civil servants 

February 5, 2026

The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier in response to the Office of Personnel Management’s final rule on Schedule Policy/Career, which is the first step toward removing job protections for certain career federal employees and making them fireable for political reasons: 

“No matter what the administration says, today’s action has nothing to do with restoring merit in federal employment. This new designation can be used to remove expert career federal employees who place the law and service to the public ahead of blind loyalty and replace them with political supporters who will unquestioningly do the president’s bidding. 

“There is a reason our nation abandoned the spoils system that handed out government jobs to political lackeys nearly 150 years ago. That system inevitably led to corruption, incompetence, waste and ineffective government. This one will be no different. 

“Our government needs serious improvements to make it more effective and accountable, but one thing that doesn’t need changing is the notion that it exists to serve the American people and not any individual president. The American people want and deserve a government capable of meeting their needs. Unfortunately, today’s action puts that goal farther out of reach.” 

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. 

During the past 25 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.   

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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