Potential rule may lead to the dismissal of all current federal workers
The Trump administration has proposed a rule that could significantly alter the nonpartisan civil service, raising concerns about the potential impact on federal employees and the services they provide.
The proposed rule, if implemented, would allow the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to examine the suitability and fitness of a federal employee at any time, not just during the hiring process. This change could make it easier for agencies to fire employees for almost any reason, bypassing due process protections currently in place.
The rule, if implemented, would also authorise suitability tests for current employees based on their conduct after they've already been on the job. This could lead to arbitrary and biased actions, further undermining the professional non-partisan civil service.
The legality of the proposed rule is uncertain, as it's difficult to predict how courts will rule on these different initiatives. However, if the rule goes into effect, Congress is expected to step up its oversight authority and legislate to strengthen whistleblower protections and due process for federal employees.
Congress is also anticipated to legislate to prevent agencies from circumventing hiring processes and installing partisan loyalists into key positions. The rule, if implemented, could potentially threaten communities across the country due to the chilling effect on employees speaking out against wrongdoing.
The rule would strip employees of their protections and the enforceability of those protections, creating a chilling effect across the government. This could increase risks to federal employees and the public across the country, affecting the services and government programs and protections that we rely on.
Organisations such as the Project on Government Oversight (POGO) and several other good governance organisations have submitted comments opposing the rule and calling for its withdrawal. POGO has endorsed several bills in this Congress that would enforce the rights of employees to disclose information directly to Congress, strengthen whistleblower protections for government contractors, increase transparency around Hatch Act enforcement, and other reforms.
As the deadline for public comments on the proposed rule has passed, it remains to be seen how the administration will proceed. However, the concerns raised by these organisations and the potential impact on the civil service and the public highlight the importance of careful consideration and oversight in this matter.
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