The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier on President Trump’s executive order creating a new Schedule G classification for non-career federal workers in policy-related roles: 

“This new Schedule G classification is another misguided attempt by the administration to further politicize the federal workforce. A president already has the power to make more than 4,000 political appointments, far more than other democracies, most of which number their political appointees in the 10s.   

“Aside from Senate-confirmed political appointees, the President can also make hundreds of political appointments through Schedule C and other authorities. This new Schedule G is unnecessary and makes an overly-complicated system even more confusing. It’s clear that this decision was made without consultation of experts who fully understand the consequences of creating these redundancies that will disempower our apolitical, merit-based career employees.  

“At the end of the day, the main mission of our government is to serve and protect the public. Our nonpartisan civil service is critical to keeping the services we rely on running continuously, even when political administrations change. Adding even more political appointees – who will only be in government for a few years – means that effective, stable service delivery will suffer. It’s the American people who will pay the ultimate price.” 

During the past 24 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.    

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