ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumBiden · D

Presidential Memorandum

Designation of Officials of the Office of Personnel Management To Act as Director

This memorandum establishes a new order of succession for acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management, replacing a 2020 Trump administration designation. It lists seven specific OPM officials who would assume the Director's duties if both the Director and Deputy Director become unavailable.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 2595

Impact dates

  1. Federal Register publication

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession for OPM Director position
  • List seven specific officials in priority order to act as Director
  • Prohibit acting officials from succeeding by virtue of acting service
  • Require eligibility under Federal Vacancies Reform Act
  • Revoke December 10, 2020 presidential memorandum
  • Authorize and direct publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Revocation of December 10, 2020 memorandum takes effect
  • New succession order is active upon publication

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Order of succession remains in place until superseded

Risks & tensions

  • Revocation of 2020 memo unwinds prior administration's succession plan without stated policy rationale
  • Retention of presidential discretion (Sec. 2(c)) means this order is non-binding on the President
  • No substantive change to underlying Federal Vacancies Reform Act framework
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officials of the Office of Personnel Management To Act as Director · Executive Orders