Wow, here we go again with a fresh federal employment category!
In the quiet neighbourhood where the writer resides, federal employees form a significant part of the community. Amongst them are two retirees who once held medical positions in the government[1]. Across the street, a career employee in the congressional branch goes about her day, grateful for being DOGE-proof[2].
The Trump administration, in July 2025, introduced a new federal employment category known as Schedule G. This category is designed for non-career, political, policy-oriented employees who serve in key policymaking roles within federal agencies[3]. Unlike traditional civil service positions, employees in Schedule G roles do not have the typical civil service protections such as Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) appeal rights and are expected to leave when the president who appointed them leaves office[4].
The administration argues that Schedule G fills a gap between existing categories, complementing Schedule C (which covers lower-level political confidential aides) and career policy roles by providing a formal track for political appointees who focus on implementing the president’s agenda[3]. The aim is to "increase the horsepower" for policy implementation and improve government efficiency, especially in agencies like Veterans Affairs[3].
However, Schedule G has caused controversy. Critics contend it further politicizes the civil service by prioritizing political loyalty over expertise and merit, disrupting the traditionally apolitical federal workforce[5]. It expands the number of political appointees in federal agencies, potentially overlapping with existing Schedule C appointments but allowing for higher-grade positions[1][2]. There is a risk that agencies may downsize career civil service roles and create Schedule G positions to perform similar duties, potentially circumventing traditional merit-based hiring processes and increasing legal challenges[2].
Some experts believe Schedule G adds complexity and confusion to an already complicated personnel system, reducing the effectiveness and stability of government operations[3]. The administration is considering calling this cadre of appointees the Gee Whiz Kids[6].
The writer, who was a Federal Drive host, found the weirdness and real losses surrounding federal employees to be highly obvious[7]. A husband-and-wife lawyer in the neighbourhood has recently taken a job as a chief of staff in a mission-central job at a large cabinet agency[8]. The Trump administration is proposing a new gambit called Schedule G to address what they perceive as a gap in excepted service procedures[9].
It remains unclear what particular policies in the Department of Veterans Affairs are so crucial that the administration wants a greased tunnel for policy appointees[10]. The writer, who is semi-retired, observes federal employees leaving their houses in the morning to head to work[11]. The husband of the career federal employee across the street was a member of the senior executive service but was inexplicably let go in the spring[12]. The tavern owner living behind the writer is not a federal employee[13].
The ongoing renovation on the writer's garage, with a crew using a Bobcat and jackhammer to remove the cracked and crumbling floor, serves as a stark reminder of the changes happening both in the writer's personal life and in the federal workforce[14]. The new rules state that the Civil Service Rules and Regulations shall not apply to removals from positions in all categories except B[15]. The Trump administration's initial approach to federal employees was described as G for Gross[16].
[1] Source 1 [2] Source 2 [3] Source 3 [4] Source 1 [5] Source 5 [6] Source 6 [7] Source 7 [8] Source 8 [9] Source 9 [10] Source 10 [11] Source 11 [12] Source 12 [13] Source 13 [14] Source 14 [15] Source 15 [16] Source 16
- The controversial Schedule G, introduced by the Trump administration, targets non-career, political employees aiming to fill key policymaking roles within federal agencies, deviating from traditional civil service positions that offer protection and job security.
- The reimagined federal workforce under Schedule G, often dubbed as the Gee Whiz Kids, has sparked debate, with critics arguing it prioritizes political loyalty over expertise and merit, potentially disrupting the traditionally apolitical civil service.
- Amidst ongoing discussions on the impact of Schedule G on the federal workforce, the writer, a former Federal Drive host, expresses concern over the perceived politicization of government operations and the potential loss of stability within the federal workforce.
