1. United States
2. N.D.
3. Letter

Subject: Opposition to Executive Order "Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce"   Dear President Trump,   I am writing to express my strong opposition to your recent Executive Order titled "Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce," signed on January 20, 2025. While I understand the intent to enhance accountability, I am deeply concerned about the potential negative implications of this order on the integrity and effectiveness of our federal civil service. This Executive Order reinstates and modifies the previous Executive Order 13957, creating a new classification known as Schedule Policy/Career (formerly Schedule F). This classification reassigns certain federal policymaking employees to positions lacking traditional civil service protections. Doing so exposes these roles to potential political influence, undermining the merit-based principles that have long been the foundation of our federal workforce. The reclassification of these positions could result in the dismissal of career civil servants based on political considerations rather than performance or merit. This threatens the nonpartisan nature of our civil service and may lead to the loss of experienced and knowledgeable personnel who are essential for the effective formulation and implementation of public policy. Furthermore, the removal of established civil service protections may discourage qualified individuals from pursuing or continuing careers in public service. The potential for increased political interference could erode trust and morale among federal employees, leading to decreased efficiency and effectiveness in government operations. Legal challenges have already been initiated in response to this order. For instance, eight former federal inspectors general who were dismissed are suing to regain their positions, alleging that their removals violated the Securing Inspector General Independence Act. This highlights the contentious nature of the order and its potential conflict with existing laws designed to protect the independence of federal oversight. In light of these concerns, I respectfully urge you to reconsider and rescind this Executive Order. It is imperative to uphold the merit-based, nonpartisan nature of our federal workforce to ensure effective and unbiased governance. Preserving the integrity of our civil service is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring the efficient operation of our government. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.   Sincerely,  A concerned United States resident