Creating Schedule G in the Excepted Service
The order creates a new "Schedule G" in the federal excepted service, covering noncareer positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character that are normally expected to turn over with a change of presidential administration, and removes standard civil service removal protections from those positions.
Establishes a legal gap-fill the administration says was missing from the existing excepted-service framework, and gives the Secretary of Veterans Affairs specific authority to assess whether Schedule G candidates would support the President's policies.
What this order does
What it orders
The order creates Schedule G within Civil Service Rule VI by amending 5 CFR 6.2, defining it as the category for noncareer positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character that are normally subject to turnover during a presidential transition. It also amends 5 CFR 6.4 to exclude Schedule G positions from the Civil Service Rules and Regulations governing removals — meaning occupants of those positions can be removed without the procedural protections that apply in the competitive service. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is directed to issue implementing regulations, with particular attention to amending 5 CFR part 213.
The order also instructs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, when making Schedule G appointments, to evaluate whether prospective appointees would be suitable supporters of the President's policies, while expressly prohibiting the Secretary from considering a candidate's political affiliation or political activity. The order does not itself list any specific positions in Schedule G; that enumeration occurs through future OPM regulatory action.
Who it affects
Federal employees and applicants whose positions are noncareer, policy-making or policy-advocating in character, and expected to turn over with a change in administration — especially at the Department of Veterans Affairs. The White House Office of Presidential Personnel retains assent authority over Schedule G appointments.
Why it matters
People appointed to Schedule G positions lose the standard civil service removal protections that would otherwise apply, making it easier for a new administration to replace them. Department of Veterans Affairs appointees in policy roles face a new explicit suitability screen tied to presidential policy alignment.
What must happen and when
How the order is supposed to work
The order itself does not populate Schedule G with positions — it only creates the category and amends the regulatory framework. OPM must issue regulations (particularly to 5 CFR part 213) before agencies can actually use the schedule to make appointments. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is singled out as an early user, with a mandate to weigh policy-suitability (but not political affiliation) when appointing. Removal protections are stripped by the amended 5 CFR 6.4 immediately upon enactment, applying to any positions later listed.
Actions and deadlines
- Adopt regulations necessary to implement Schedule G, including amendments to 5 CFR part 213
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs to apply Schedule G appointment criteria, weighing policy suitability without regard to political affiliation