Ensuring Continued Accountability In Federal Hiring

The order extends tight controls across most of the Federal workforce while prioritizing national security, immigration enforcement, and public safety hiring. It requires agencies to eliminate unnecessary work and align staffing with annual plans.

What the order does ​

• Bars most agencies from filling vacant civilian positions or creating positions unless authorized by the order or required by law.
• Requires each agency to establish a senior Strategic Hiring Committee within 30 days to approve every covered hire and notify the Office of Personnel Management.
• Requires annual staffing plans coordinated with the Office of Personnel Management and Office of Management and Budget, plus quarterly progress updates beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026.
• Directs agencies to prioritize essential services and security roles while eliminating duplicative functions and reducing low-value contractor positions.
• Prohibits outsourcing work to evade the hiring restrictions but permits reallocations and reassignments for priority needs.
• Requires the Office of Personnel Management and Office of Management and Budget to report within 180 days on implementation and possible changes or termination.

Who it affects ​

• Most executive departments and agencies, regardless of their funding source.
• Federal civilian job applicants and career employees seeking appointments or transfers into covered positions.
• Federal contractors performing work agencies identify as unnecessary or low-value.
• Exempt personnel, including military members, specified political appointees, and workers in immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety positions.