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EO 14356Executive OrderTrump 47 · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 14356

Ensuring Continued Accountability in Federal Hiring

This executive order extends federal workforce reduction policies by requiring agency-level approval for nearly all new hires and vacancies, establishing Strategic Hiring Committees, and mandating Annual Staffing Plans aligned with administration priorities. It exempts national security, immigration enforcement, public safety, and political appointees from restrictions, while prohibiting contracting to circumvent hiring limits.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 48387

Impact dates

  1. Joint OMB/OPM implementation report to President

  2. FY2026 Q2 quarterly updates begin

  3. Annual Staffing Plans submitted to OPM/OMB

  4. Strategic Hiring Committees established

Key directives

  • All federal civilian vacancies and new positions frozen unless exempted or approved
  • Agency heads must establish Strategic Hiring Committees within 30 days
  • Committees must include deputy agency head and chief of staff
  • Written notice of approved hires to OPM required
  • Annual Staffing Plans due within 60 days, then at each fiscal year start
  • Quarterly plan updates to OPM/OMB beginning FY2026 Q2
  • Contracting to circumvent order prohibited
  • Joint OMB/OPM report to President within 180 days

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Hiring freeze continuation for non-exempt positions
  • Existing OPM exemptions from prior memoranda remain in effect

Near term (90d)

  • Strategic Hiring Committees must be established within 30 days
  • Annual Staffing Plans due within 60 days
  • First quarterly updates begin FY2026 Q2

Long term

  • Annual Staffing Plans required at start of each fiscal year
  • Joint OMB/OPM implementation report due in 180 days
  • Ongoing workforce optimization through committee oversight

Risks & tensions

  • Broad exemptions for political appointees and 'national security' create significant loopholes
  • Vague 'national interest' standard for hiring approvals risks politicization
  • Contracting prohibition may strain service delivery without corresponding appropriations flexibility
  • Social Security/Medicare/veterans benefits carve-out suggests awareness of political sensitivities
  • 'Applicable law' override may limit practical effect in statutorily-mandated positions
Executive Order 14356: Ensuring Continued Accountability in Federal Hiring · Executive Orders