Executive Orders And Memoranda Summaries: Guidance For Federal Policies

This page offers a detailed overview of recent Presidential Actions concerning the federal workforce, including Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda. It is intended to assist Department of Defense Human Resource Professionals and stakeholders by providing key details and implementation requirements for each directive. Clear summaries and direct links to the official guidance documents are included to ensure easy access to essential information, which will support effective compliance and execution of these policies across agencies.

Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing

Terminates all DEIA programs, policies and activities within the Federal government; OPM and Attorney General to review all existing employment practices and union contracts and training to ensure compliance with order; all DEIA positions are terminated; all agencies and departments must report all DEIA programs and personnel in place as of Nov 4, 2024; the operational impact these programs had.

OPM Guidance:

Presidential Memorandum - Hiring Freeze

Implements a hiring freeze for all federal civilian positions. It prohibits positions being filled after noon on January 20. It provides for exceptions for military personnel, immigration enforcement, national security and public safety. It also provides that Social Security, Medicare and Veteran's benefits should not be adversely affected and grants OPM the opportunity to grant additional exceptions.

Additionally, requires a plan within 90 days to reduce the federal service through efficiency improvements and attrition. However, the IRS will remain under the freeze until additional determinations are made. Further, it prohibits contractors being used to fill gaps created under the freeze.

OPM Guidance:

DoD Guidance:

  • PTDO DUSD directed temporary pause on all OSD-P&R and DHRA hiring actions until Mr. Selnick is in place and able to review these vacancies. The pause will only affect those positions that do not have at least an official TJO offered to the selectee

Presidential Memorandum - Return to In-Person Work

Terminates remote work and reduces telework.

OPM Guidance:

DoD Guidance:

  • Secretary of Defense Memorandum - Guidance on Presidential Memorandum, "Return to In-Person Work" 24-Jan-2025
  • Secretary of Defense Memorandum - Implementation of Presidential Memorandum, "Return to In­ Person Work" 24-Jan-2025

Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service

Develop Federal Hiring Plan with 120days; Prioritize hiring based on merit; implement technical and alternative assessments exams; reduce time to hire to 80 days; increase communication check points to applicants; integrate modern technology to identify gaps.

Presidential Memorandum - Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives

Requires SES Performance Plans (developed by OPM/OMB for all SES); Increases accountability in the SES career service; Reassigns some SES member s; Reconstitutes Executive Review Boards (ERBs) and Performance Review Boards; Recommends removal for underperforming SES.

  • Restoring Accountabilitv. for Career Senior Executives - The White House

OPM Guidance:

Presidential Memorandum - Restoring Accountability to Policy-influencing Positions within the Federal Workforce

Reinstates the Schedule F.

  • Restoring Accountability To Policy-lnfluencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce - The White House

OPM Guidance: