Ensuring Accountability and Prioritizing Public Safety in Federal Hiring

This Presidential Memorandum imposes a temporary freeze on hiring for Federal civilian positions within the Executive Branch through October 15, 2025. It prohibits filling vacant or creating new positions unless explicitly exempted, consistent with the Merit Hiring Plan issued by OPM. The order allows for limited exceptions—such as for national security, public safety, and legally required services—and outlines a process for departmental approval and OPM notification. It prohibits the use of external contracting to bypass the freeze and encourages internal staff reallocation to support agency priorities and maintain essential services.

• Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
• All Executive Departments (as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 101)
• All Independent Establishments (as defined in 5 U.S.C. § 104(1))
• Executive Office of the President (excluded from freeze)
• Agencies responsible for national security, immigration enforcement, public safety, Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ benefits (exempt)

Immediate; Ongoing.

Cease hiring for all currently vacant or new Federal civilian positions unless exempt — Effective immediately through October 15, 2025 — All Executive Branch agencies Follow the Merit Hiring Plan issued by OPM on May 29, 2025 — Ongoing — All Executive Branch agencies Allow hiring in exempted areas (e.g., national security, public safety, Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ healthcare) — Immediate and ongoing — Exempt agencies and components Continue granting exemptions as necessary — Ongoing — Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Transmit written approvals for hires to OPM; allow hiring to proceed one business day after transmission — Ongoing — Executive department or independent establishment heads/chiefs of staff/Presidential appointees Honor exemptions previously granted unless withdrawn — Ongoing — OPM Prohibit external contracting intended to circumvent the hiring freeze — Ongoing — All Executive Branch agencies Reallocate or reassign current staff to meet high-priority needs — Ongoing — All Executive Branch agencies Permit appointments to PAS positions, SES non-career, Schedule A/C, and § 3161 temporary positions — As needed — Presidential appointees and relevant agencies Ensure actions do not conflict with existing collective bargaining agreements — Immediate — All Executive Branch agencies

No known legal challenges.