Presidential memorandum

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Ensuring Accountability and Prioritizing Public Safety in Federal Hiring

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, the following policy shall govern the hiring of Federal civilian employees within the Executive Branch through October 15, 2025: no Federal civilian position that is presently vacant may be filled, and no new position may be created, except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or required by applicable law. In addition, any hiring shall be consistent with the Merit Hiring Plan that was issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on May 29, 2025, pursuant to Executive Order 14170 of January 20, 2025 (Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service).

Except as provided below, this policy applies to all executive departments and agencies (agencies) regardless of their sources of operational and programmatic funding.

This memorandum does not apply to military personnel of the Armed Forces or to positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety, and does not apply to the Executive Office of the President or the components thereof. Positions that fall within these categories do not require review by OPM. Moreover, nothing in this memorandum shall adversely impact the provision of Social Security, Medicare, or veterans’ healthcare or benefits. In addition, the Director of OPM may continue to grant exemptions from this policy where those exemptions are otherwise necessary. Further, the following process shall apply to (1) each executive department and (2) each independent establishment authorized by OPM to use the process: hires that have been approved in writing by the executive department or independent establishment head, the executive department or independent establishment chief of staff, or an officer appointed by the President may proceed one business day after such official has transmitted a copy of such approval to OPM. Exemptions previously granted by OPM shall remain in effect unless withdrawn by OPM. For the purposes of this memorandum, the term “executive department” means a department listed in section 101 of title 5, United States Code, and “independent establishment” has the meaning given that term in section 104(1) of title 5, United States Code.