ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumG.W. Bush · R

Presidential Memorandum

Designation of Officers of the Office of Personnel Management to Act as Director of the Office of Personnel Management

This memorandum establishes the order of succession for acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management when both the Director and Deputy Director are unable to serve, listing 11 OPM officers in priority order. It supersedes a 2003 memorandum on the same topic and preserves presidential discretion to depart from this order under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 28773

Impact dates

  1. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession for OPM Director position
  • List 11 officers in designated priority order
  • Exclude acting officeholders from succession by virtue of acting status
  • Preserve presidential discretion to depart from designated order
  • Direct publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Order of succession takes effect upon publication

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Establishes permanent succession framework for OPM leadership continuity

Risks & tensions

  • Low tension: routine administrative housekeeping; succession depth (11 officers) provides stability but could create prolonged acting leadership
  • Presidential discretion clause (Sec. 2(b)) creates flexibility but potential uncertainty if exercised
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officers of the Office of Personnel Management to Act as Director of the Office of Personnel Management · Executive Orders