Labor Directives
Extension of Hiring Freeze
This April 17, 2025, presidential memorandum extends a freeze on hiring for federal civilian employees through July 15, 2025.
The freeze applies to all executive branch agencies, barring exceptions for national security, public safety, immigration enforcement and essential services.
Future hiring must comply with a merit-based hiring plan.
Contracting to circumvent the freeze is prohibited, and agencies are instructed to use existing personnel efficiently.
The memorandum also does not affect the deadline for a plan to reduce the federal workforce.
Exceptions may be granted by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
The freeze will remain in effect for the IRS until the Treasury Secretary determines otherwise and publishes a notice in the Federal Register.
Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance
President [Name] issued an executive order aimed at restoring American maritime dominance.
The order directs several federal agencies to develop a comprehensive Maritime Action Plan to revitalize the nation's shipbuilding and maritime industries.
Key initiatives include strengthening the maritime industrial base, addressing unfair trade practices from China, increasing mariner training and education, modernizing the United States Merchant Marine Academy, improving government procurement efficiency, and establishing a Maritime Security Trust Fund.
The order also seeks to engage allies and partners to align trade policies, and reduce dependence on adversaries.
Nominations Sent to the Senate
The White House announced a series of nominations sent to the Senate for confirmation.
These nominations cover various key positions across several departments and agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Army, Navy, Veterans Affairs, Labor, and Commerce, as well as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The nominees include individuals slated for Assistant Secretary roles, Chief Financial Officer positions, Inspector General, United States Attorney roles for various districts, and other critical leadership positions.
Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs
President Trump's March 27, 2025 executive order excludes numerous federal agencies and subdivisions from the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute.
The order claims this exclusion is necessary for national security reasons, impacting intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work.
It amends Executive Order 12171 and delegates authority to the Secretaries of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Transportation to make further exclusions.
The order also requires a review of agencies not currently excluded and mandates changes to related employee assignments and grievance processes.
Excluded agencies and subdivisions primarily serve roles within the Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Homeland Security, Interior, Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce, as well as several independent agencies.
Strengthening the Suitability and Fitness of the Federal Workforce
This presidential memorandum delegates to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) the authority to make final suitability determinations for federal employees based on post-appointment conduct.
The OPM Director must then propose regulations amending existing rules to clarify this process and establish procedures for suitability actions, potentially including employee removal.
These regulations must also clarify requirements for agency referrals to OPM, and set a five-day compliance period for agency heads to adhere to OPM directives.
The memorandum aims to strengthen the suitability and fitness of the federal workforce.
Removing Discrimination and Discriminatory Equity Ideology From the Foreign Service
President Trump issued a memorandum to eliminate discrimination and what he terms “discriminatory equity ideology” from the Foreign Service. The memorandum directs the Secretary of State and other relevant Secretaries to revise hiring, promotion, and retention policies to be merit-based, prohibiting decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and the promotion of discriminatory equity ideology.
Existing criteria referencing ‘Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility’ are to be removed.
The Secretaries are tasked with investigating potential past discrimination and taking appropriate action.
Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy
This executive order directs the continued reduction of the federal bureaucracy by eliminating or significantly downsizing several governmental entities.
The order targets specific agencies, including the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the US Agency for Global Media, and others, instructing agency heads to submit reports detailing compliance within seven days.
Funding requests deemed inconsistent with the order's goals are to be rejected, while existing legal authorities are preserved.
The order explicitly states it does not create any legally enforceable rights.
Additional Recissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions
President Trump issued an executive order revoking several executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations issued by the Biden administration.
The order focuses on restoring common sense to the federal government.
Specific actions revoked include those related to COVID-19 response, foreign policy workforce revitalization, LGBTQ+ human rights, minimum wage for federal contractors, energy supply interruption, infant formula supply, solar energy, insulation, electrolyzers, heat pumps, biotechnology, multiple Department of Defense supply chains, and worker empowerment.
The order emphasizes that it does not create any new legal rights or benefits.
Nominations Sent to the Senate
The President submitted numerous nominations for key positions across various federal departments and agencies to the Senate for confirmation.
These nominations span a wide range of portfolios, including Health and Human Services, Labor, Veterans Affairs, Education, Commerce, State, Treasury, Energy, Environmental Protection, and others.
The President also announced a withdrawal of a previously submitted nomination.
Implementing The President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative
This Presidential Order aims to restructure the federal workforce to enhance efficiency and reduce government size. It mandates a hiring ratio of 1:4 (one new hire for every four departures), requires agencies to develop data-driven hiring plans, authorizes large-scale reductions in force, initiates rulemaking to revise suitability criteria for federal employment, and directs agencies to submit reorganization plans.
Exemptions are allowed for national security and public safety roles, and the order clarifies that it does not create any new legal rights.
Adjusting Imports of Steel into The United States
The proclamation terminates existing steel import agreements with multiple countries and implements a uniform 25% tariff on all steel imports effective March 12, 2025.
It eliminates the product exclusion process, expands derivative steel product coverage, and strengthens enforcement measures.
The changes aim to address rising import levels, global excess capacity, and perceived shortcomings in current arrangements that have prevented domestic steel industry from maintaining targeted capacity utilization rates.
Eliminating the Federal Executive Institute
President's order eliminates the Federal Executive Institute, citing a need to responsibly manage taxpayer dollars and prioritize programs directly benefiting the American people.
The order directs the Office of Personnel Management to eliminate the Institute, revokes related prior executive documents, and emphasizes the Administration's policy of eliminating programs that don't serve national interests.
Establishment of The White House Faith Office
This presidential order establishes the White House Faith Office to empower faith-based organizations, community groups, and houses of worship in serving families and communities.
It amends several existing executive orders to reflect the new office, outlining its responsibilities which include advising the President, coordinating interagency efforts, and promoting grant opportunities for these organizations.
The order emphasizes protecting religious liberty and ensuring a level playing field for faith-based participation in federal programs.
Career and Technical Education Month, 2025
President Donald J. Trump's proclamation designates February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.
The proclamation highlights the importance of workforce development, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and related fields, emphasizing the need to provide Americans with the skills for high-wage careers.
It underscores a commitment to investing in career and technical education to strengthen the economy and ensure American dominance in the 21st century.
Limiting Lame-Duck Collective Bargaining Agreements That Improperly Attempt to Constrain the New President
This presidential memorandum prohibits the execution of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) in the 30 days preceding a presidential transition that create new obligations, alter existing ones, or extend current agreements.
The order aims to prevent outgoing administrations from binding their successors to policies through last-minute agreements, asserting the new president's authority to manage the executive branch.
Exceptions are made for CBAs primarily concerning law enforcement officers, and the order includes provisions for severability and non-enforceability against the government.
Immediate Assessment of Aviation Safety
In response to a deadly plane crash, the President mandates a comprehensive review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hiring and safety procedures from the past four years.
The order directly attributes the accident to alleged policy decisions from previous administrations that prioritized diversity initiatives over merit-based hiring.
The review will identify and correct any shortcomings in safety standards and personnel qualifications, aiming to restore public confidence in air travel.
Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness
This Presidential order prioritizes military readiness and excellence by establishing stringent standards for troop fitness, cohesion, and integrity.
It mandates updates to Department of Defense medical standards to exclude individuals expressing gender identities inconsistent with their biological sex, revokes Executive Order 14004, and restricts access to gender-segregated facilities based on biological sex.
The order aims to ensure the Armed Forces remain the world's most effective fighting force.
Executive Actions in President Trump's First 100 Hours of Second Term
In the initial 100 hours of his second term, President Donald Trump signed numerous executive orders focused on securing the border, removing discriminatory practices, boosting investments, and modifying energy policies.
This marked an unprecedented beginning of his term and included aggressive measures towards border control, ending industry regulations, and encouraging domestic investments.
Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology
The Presidential Executive Order outlines strategies to advance US leadership in the digital asset industry, blockchain technology, and financial technologies.
It emphasizes the need for responsible growth and usage of digital assets while protecting economic freedom and sovereignty.
The document outlines policies supporting open blockchain access, banking service fairness, and regulatory clarity, alongside banning Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) in the US. It establishes a working group, revokes previous directives on digital assets, and sets tasks and timelines for involved agencies to recommend regulatory adaptations.
ENDING ILLEGAL DISCRIMINATION AND<br>RESTORING MERIT-BASED OPPORTUNITY
This Presidential Action orders the termination of all discriminatory race and sex-based preferences in the federal government and encourages the private sector to end such practices.
It revokes several previous executive orders promoting DEI initiatives, directs federal agencies to enforce civil rights laws, and mandates compliance by federal contractors.
The order also calls for a report on private sector DEI practices and recommends strategies for enforcement and compliance.
Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation
This presidential action directs the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administrator to immediately end discriminatory hiring practices at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The order cites concerns about a prior administration's focus on hiring individuals based on factors other than merit, potentially jeopardizing aviation safety.
It mandates a return to non-discriminatory, merit-based hiring and a review of individuals in critical safety positions to ensure only highly qualified personnel are employed.
REFORMING THE FEDERAL HIRING PROCESS AND RESTORING MERIT TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE
This executive order mandates a comprehensive overhaul of the federal hiring process.
The order aims to improve efficiency, attract highly skilled candidates committed to American ideals, and eliminate discriminatory practices by prioritizing merit and skill over race, sex, or religion.
A new Federal Hiring Plan, to be developed within 120 days, outlines key strategies including faster hiring times, improved communication with applicants, and enhanced use of technology.
Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing
This executive order directs the termination of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and similar programs and policies across the federal government.
It cites the Biden administration's previous DEI initiatives as wasteful and discriminatory, aiming to replace them with a focus on equal dignity and respect for all.
The order mandates specific actions to eliminate DEI offices, review employment practices, and submit detailed reports to the Office of Management and Budget.
It also establishes a monthly review process to monitor progress and inform future policy.
DEFENDING WOMEN FROM GENDER IDEOLOGY EXTREMISM AND RESTORING BIOLOGICAL TRUTH TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
This executive order establishes a policy of recognizing only two biological sexes, male and female, and directs federal agencies to revise policies and practices accordingly.
It defines key terms, rescinds previous executive orders that support gender identity-based policies and mandates changes to government-issued identification documents, single-sex spaces (prisons, shelters, etc.), and federal funding practices.
The order also directs the Attorney General to provide guidance on the correct application of relevant Supreme Court decisions and to prioritize investigations and litigation to restore sex-based distinctions.
RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CAREER SENIOR EXECUTIVES
This presidential memorandum directs federal agencies to improve accountability among Senior Executive Service (SES) officials.
It cites the President's constitutional authority to ensure the faithful execution of laws and emphasizes the need for SES officials to align with the President's agenda.
The memorandum mandates changes to performance plans, personnel assignments, and review boards, empowering agency heads to remove officials whose performance or actions are deemed inconsistent with this goal.
RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY TO POLICY-INFLUENCING <br>POSITIONS WITHIN THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE
This Executive Order addresses concerns about accountability within the federal workforce, particularly among those in policy-influencing roles.
It reinstates and amends Executive Order 13957, effectively creating a new excepted service schedule ('Policy/Career') for these positions, streamlining removal processes, limiting civil service protections for specified employees, and revoking conflicting directives.
The order aims to strengthen the President's authority over executive branch policy implementation.
Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis
This presidential action orders federal agencies to implement measures to combat the high cost of living, which the order attributes to the previous administration's policies.
The action focuses on reducing housing costs, lowering healthcare expenses, eliminating regulations increasing the cost of goods, boosting job creation, and removing what the order terms as “harmful climate policies”.
Progress reports are required every 30 days.
Hiring Freeze
President [President's Name] issued an executive order enacting a hiring freeze for federal civilian employees, effective January 20, 2025.
Exemptions apply to national security, public safety, and essential services like Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans' benefits.
The Office of Management and Budget must submit a plan to reduce the federal workforce's size within 90 days, at which point the freeze will expire for most agencies, barring the IRS. Contracting to circumvent the freeze is prohibited.
Regulatory Freeze Pending Review
This presidential memorandum institutes a temporary freeze on new federal regulations and initiates a review process for existing and pending rules.
All executive departments and agencies must halt rule-making until appointed heads review and approve them.
Rules already submitted but not published are withdrawn for review, published rules are subject to a 60-day postponement, and the Office of Management and Budget oversees the entire process.
Any actions contradicting this memorandum may be addressed via modification or extension.
Return to In-Person Work
The President issued a memorandum directing all executive branch departments and agencies to end remote work arrangements and require employees to return to their in-person duty stations full-time. Department and agency heads are given the authority to grant necessary exemptions, and the directive is to be implemented in accordance with applicable law.
President Trump Designates Chairmen and Acting Chairmen
On January 20, 2025, President Trump announced the designation of numerous chairmen and acting chairmen for various federal commissions and boards.
The appointments cover a wide range of agencies, including those responsible for communications, energy, labor, finance, and transportation, signaling a significant reshuffling of leadership across the federal government.
President Trump Announces Acting Cabinet and Cabinet-Level Positions
President Trump issued a directive appointing acting cabinet secretaries and other high-level officials across numerous federal agencies.
The appointees are temporarily filling their positions until permanent replacements are selected, with the directive citing 5 U.S.C. 3345 et seq. as legal justification.
The directive lists numerous individuals and their assigned acting roles, ensuring continuity in government operations.
President Trump Announces Sub-Cabinet APPOINTMENTS
President Trump nominated numerous individuals to fill sub-cabinet level positions across various federal agencies.
The nominations encompass leadership roles in departments including Defense, Health and Human Services, Justice, Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Energy, and others.
The announcement details the nominees' names, states of residence, and the specific positions for which they are being nominated, which then require Senate confirmation.
President Trump Announces Cabinet and Cabinet-Level Appointments
On January 20, 2025, President Trump announced his nominations for numerous cabinet positions and key leadership roles within his administration.
The announcement lists nominees for positions such as Secretary of the Treasury, Attorney General, Secretary of Defense, and numerous other cabinet-level roles, initiating the process of Senate confirmation for these individuals.