United States President Donald Trump has issued a directive terminating remote work arrangements for all executive branch departments and agencies.
The order, part of a series of approximately 200 executive actions signed on his first day in office, marks a significant shift in federal workforce policies.
One of the key actions, titled ‘Return to In-Person Work’, revokes remote work policies implemented during the coronavirus pandemic under former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Ending Remote Work
The executive order mandates a return to full-time, in-person work for federal employees, with limited exemptions. It states:
“Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary.”
The order clarifies that implementation must align with existing laws.
Federal Hiring Freeze
In addition to ending remote work, President Trump announced a hiring freeze for federal civilian employees across the executive branch. The memorandum stipulates that:
“No Federal civilian position that is vacant at noon on January 20, 2025, may be filled, and no new position may be created except as otherwise provided for in this memorandum or other applicable law.”
Exemptions to the hiring freeze include military personnel, positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, public safety, and critical services such as Social Security, Medicare, and Veterans’ benefits. Additionally, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may authorize further exemptions if deemed necessary.
Exemptions and Implications
While the measures apply broadly across the federal government, the memorandum ensures that essential functions tied to national security, public safety, and key social programs remain unaffected. These directives reflect Trump’s broader agenda of streamlining government operations and reducing federal spending.
With these sweeping changes, President Trump aims to reshape the operational dynamics of the federal workforce, signaling a return to pre-pandemic norms while maintaining provisions for critical services and national security priorities.
