Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Creates New Classification of Federal Employee to Help Serve the American People

7/17/2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

New Federal Employee Classification: President Trump signed an Executive Order on July 17, 2025, creating “Schedule G” positions for non-career, policy-oriented federal workers.
Purpose and Scope: Designed to fill gaps in current federal employee classifications by enabling appointments that focus on policy-making and policy advocacy, strictly for implementing the Administration’s agenda.
Non-Career Nature: Schedule G positions are temporary; appointed employees are expected to leave when the appointing President leaves office. They are distinct from career positions.
Efficiency and Accountability: Intended to enhance government efficiency and accountability by streamlining appointments in key agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, and targeting the deep state and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Context and Precedents: Complements previous actions like the establishment of Schedule Policy/Career positions in April, emphasizing a broader effort to reform and reduce entrenched federal bureaucracy.

Risks & Considerations

The introduction of “Schedule G” employees could lead to increased political influence in federal agencies, potentially affecting the stability and continuity of policies that impact higher education, including research funding and student aid programs.
This new classification may result in a higher turnover of federal employees involved in policy-making, which could lead to inconsistencies in the implementation of policies affecting universities like Vanderbilt.
The focus on dismantling the “deep state” and reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies might lead to the elimination of regulations that currently benefit educational institutions, potentially impacting compliance and operational procedures at Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt University may need to closely monitor changes in federal policies and regulations to ensure alignment with new directives and to mitigate any negative impacts on its programs and funding.

Impacted Programs

Office of Federal Relations at Vanderbilt may need to increase its efforts to engage with new policy-makers and advocate for the university’s interests in light of potential shifts in federal priorities.
Research Administration could face challenges in securing consistent funding if policy changes lead to fluctuations in federal grant availability or priorities.
The Financial Aid Office might need to adapt to changes in federal student aid policies that could arise from the new classification of federal employees and their influence on policy-making.
Vanderbilt’s Policy Studies Programs may find new opportunities to study the impacts of these changes on federal governance and public administration.

Financial Impact

The reclassification of federal employees could lead to changes in the allocation of federal funds, potentially affecting research grants and financial aid programs that Vanderbilt relies on.
Vanderbilt University might need to adjust its budgetary planning and financial strategies to accommodate potential shifts in federal funding priorities and regulations.
There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage in policy research and analysis, potentially attracting new funding sources interested in understanding the impacts of these federal changes.
Uncertainty in federal policy-making could lead to increased costs associated with compliance and regulatory adjustments, impacting the university’s financial planning.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor the implementation of the new Schedule G classification to understand its impact on federal agencies and potential changes in policy-making processes. This will help the university anticipate shifts in federal priorities and align its strategic initiatives accordingly.
The Department of Political Science could conduct research on the implications of the Schedule G classification for government efficiency and accountability. This research can provide valuable insights into the effects of non-career appointments on policy implementation and government operations.
Vanderbilt’s Career Center should prepare students for potential changes in federal employment opportunities, particularly in policy-making roles. By understanding the new classification, the center can better guide students interested in federal careers.
The Peabody College of Education and Human Development might explore the educational implications of the executive order, particularly how it affects federal education policy and funding. This could inform the college’s research and advocacy efforts.

Opportunities

The creation of Schedule G positions presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt to engage with federal agencies in policy-making and advocacy roles. By leveraging faculty expertise, the university can contribute to shaping federal policies and initiatives.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on government efficiency by developing partnerships with federal agencies to conduct research and provide recommendations on improving policy implementation and accountability.
The emphasis on dismantling bureaucratic inefficiencies aligns with Vanderbilt’s commitment to innovation and leadership. The university can position itself as a thought leader in government reform by hosting conferences and workshops on the topic.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with potential changes in federal policy-making and employment opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.4

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – The document does not specify any deadlines or enforcement delays for the implementation of the new Schedule G employee classification.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Office of Personnel Management (OPM): Tasked with overseeing federal hiring practices, OPM will play a critical role in implementing the new Schedule G classification across agencies.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Specifically mentioned as a beneficiary, this department is expected to streamline its policy-related appointments under the new classification.
All Federal Agencies: As the new Schedule G positions are created to support policy-making and policy advocacy, every federal agency that employs non-career employees for these roles is impacted by this directive.

Relevance Score: 5 (The directive applies across the entire federal government, impacting numerous agencies and the overall hiring framework.)

Responsible Officials

Heads of Federal Agencies – Charged with integrating the new Schedule G classification into their agency’s hiring processes to ensure that key policy roles are filled in alignment with the President’s agenda (e.g., leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs).
Agency Human Resources Officials – Responsible for implementing the amended Civil Service Rule VI by adapting recruitment and personnel management procedures for non-career, policy-oriented positions.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives impact high-level agency heads and integral HR leadership responsible for executing a significant policy agenda).