By the authority granted to me as President under the Constitution and the laws of the United States, I hereby issue the following order:
Section 1. Overview. In a span of just 8 months, my Administration has significantly reduced the Federal workforce while enhancing the efficient provision of Government services. This has allowed us to focus hiring on critical areas such as national security, immigration enforcement, public safety, and other roles deemed essential by my Administration and beneficial to American taxpayers. The achievements of this strategy have exceeded the goal of maintaining a ratio of four departures for each new hire as outlined in Executive Order 14210 dated February 11, 2025 (Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative). To safeguard and further these remarkable advancements, and to guarantee that the Federal Government is adequately staffed for essential mission requirements and to execute the agenda entrusted to me by the American people, Federal hiring will now adhere to the following policies and procedures.
Sec. 2. Regulations for Federal Hiring. No vacant Federal civilian position shall be filled, nor shall any new position be created, except as allowed by this order or mandated by applicable law. This rule, except as mentioned in section 3, applies to all executive departments and agencies (agencies) regardless of their funding sources.
(a) Adhering to the Merit Hiring Plan. All Federal hiring will align with the Merit Hiring Plan released by the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on May 29, 2025, pursuant to Executive Order 14170 dated January 20, 2025 (Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service).
(b) Establishment of Strategic Hiring Committees. Within 30 days of this order, each agency head must form a Strategic Hiring Committee responsible for approving the creation or filling of each vacancy within their agency. This Committee will include the deputy agency head and the agency head’s chief of staff, along with other senior officials designated by the agency head. The Committee must ensure that hiring aligns with national interests, agency requirements, and the priorities of my Administration. Written notifications of approved hires must be sent to OPM following their approval.
(c) Annual Staffing Plans and Quarterly Reporting.
(i) Each agency is required to prepare an Annual Staffing Plan within 60 days of this order, in collaboration with OPM and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), ensuring that new appointments in the forthcoming fiscal year are made in high-demand areas and aligned with my Administration’s goals. Final Annual Staffing Plans must be submitted to both OPM and OMB. These plans should aim to enhance operational efficiency; eliminate redundant or unnecessary roles; reduce unnecessary contractor positions; promote employee accountability; improve service delivery; prioritize hiring for national security, homeland security, and public safety roles; and implement the recruitment initiatives outlined in the Merit Hiring Plan. Agencies will prepare Annual Staffing Plans annually, in coordination with OPM and OMB, commencing with each new fiscal year.
(ii) Agencies are to adhere to their Annual Staffing Plans throughout the fiscal year, with the option to update their plans during the year based on new appropriations or authorizing legislation, or by amending their plans with OPM and OMB.
(iii) Agencies must provide quarterly updates to OPM and OMB starting from the second quarter of the 2026 fiscal year to report on their progress in executing their Annual Staffing Plans.
Sec 3. Exceptions. (a) This order does not apply to:
(i) the Executive Office of the President or its components;
(ii) positions requiring Presidential appointment or Senate confirmation that are non-career;
(iii) non-career positions within the Senior Executive Service;
(iv) Schedule C or Schedule G positions in the excepted service;
(v) members of the Armed Forces;
(vi) positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety; or
(vii) the appointment of officials through temporary organization hiring authority under section 3161 of title 5, United States Code.
(b) This order does not restrict the appointment or hiring of any other non-career employees or officials if sanctioned by an agency head appointed by the President or another officially designated person.
(c) This order does not limit the hiring of personnel specifically approved by the head of an executive department, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 101. OPM may also authorize the head of an independent establishment, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 104, to utilize this exclusion.
(d) This order does not impose limitations on hiring activities where restrictions would contravene applicable law.
(e) The Director of OPM may grant suitable exemptions from this order. Any exemptions previously approved by OPM under the Presidential Memoranda from January 20, 2025 (Hiring Freeze) and July 7, 2025 (Ensuring Accountability and Prioritizing Public Safety in Federal Hiring) will remain effective unless retracted by OPM.
Sec 4. Reporting. Within 180 days of this order, the Directors of OMB and OPM are to provide a joint report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, on the implementation of this order, including recommendations on whether any provisions should be modified or terminated.
Sec 5. General Provisions. (a) This order should not be construed to limit or affect:
(i) the authority granted to any executive department or agency, or its head; or
(ii) the responsibilities of the Director of OMB regarding budgetary, administrative, or legislative matters.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable legal standards and contingent upon available funding.
(c) Engaging external contracting to circumvent the intent of this order is strictly prohibited.
(d) This order does not prevent reallocations or reassignments necessary to meet critical priorities; sustain essential services; and ensure national security, homeland security, and public safety.
(e) This order shall not negatively affect the provision of Social Security, Medicare, or veterans’ benefits.
(f) This order does not intend to, nor does it, establish any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other individual.
(g) Should any provision of this order or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance be deemed invalid, the remaining provisions and their applications to other individuals or circumstances shall remain unaffected.
(h) The costs associated with publishing this order will be covered by OPM.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
October 15, 2025.
