Federal Government Reforms Focus on Workforce Accountability and Efficiency

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose. To restore accountability to the American public, this order commences a critical transformation of the Federal bureaucracy. By eliminating waste, bloat, and insularity, my Administration will empower American families, workers, taxpayers, and our system of Government itself.

Sec. 2. Definitions. (a) "Agency" has the meaning given to it in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code, except that such term does not include the Executive Office of the President or any components thereof.

(b) "Agency Head" means the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director, unless otherwise specified in this order.

(c) "DOGE Team Lead" means the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Team at each agency, as defined in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency").

(d) "Employee" has the meaning given to it by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, and includes individuals who serve in the executive branch and who qualify as employees under that section for any purpose.

(e) "Immigration enforcement" means the investigation, enforcement, or assisting in the investigation or enforcement of Federal immigration law, including with respect to Federal immigration law that penalizes a person's presence in, entry, or reentry to, or employment in, the United States.

(f) "Law enforcement" means:

• (i) engagement in or supervision of the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law; or
• (ii) the protection of Federal, State, local, or foreign government officials against threats to personal safety.

(g) "Temporary employee" has the meaning given to it in 5 C.F.R. part 316.

(h) "Reemployed annuitant" has the meaning given to it in 5 C.F.R. part 837.

Sec. 3. Reforming the Federal Workforce to Maximize Efficiency and Productivity.

(a) Hiring Ratio. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit a plan to reduce the size of the Federal Government's workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition. This order does not affect the standing freeze on hiring as applied to the Internal Revenue Service. This ratio shall not apply to functions related to public safety, immigration enforcement, or law enforcement.

(b) Hiring Approval. Each Agency Head shall develop a data-driven plan, in consultation with its DOGE Team Lead, for new career appointment hires.

(c) Reductions in Force. Agency Heads shall prepare to initiate large-scale reductions in force (RIFs), consistent with applicable law.

(d) Rulemaking. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) shall initiate a rulemaking that proposes to revise regulations to include additional suitability criteria.

(e) Developing Agency Reorganization Plans. Agency Heads shall submit a report regarding the elimination or consolidation of agency functions.

(f) The USDS Administrator shall submit a report to the President regarding implementation of this order within 240 days.

Sec. 4. Exclusions. This order does not apply to military personnel and allows for necessary exemptions for national security or public safety responsibilities.

Sec. 5. General Provisions. This order is intended to be implemented consistent with applicable law and does not create enforceable rights or benefits.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

February 11, 2025.