President Donald Trump has mandated a full-time return to office for federal employees while simultaneously curbing job protections for civil servants. These actions mark the initial steps in his broader push to overhaul the federal bureaucracy.
The dual measures would require many white-collar government workers to relinquish remote work arrangements, reversing policies that became common during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. If upheld by the courts, the changes could also undermine legal safeguards that protect mid-level officials from politically motivated dismissals.
Trump’s allies have emphasized that the return-to-office directive and the reduction of civil service protections—widely referred to as “Schedule F”—are designed to enable the replacement of long-serving federal employees with individuals loyal to Trump’s agenda.
In a brief statement on the White House website, Trump directed department and agency heads to “take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to in-person work at their duty stations on a full-time basis, with exceptions made at their discretion.”
Another statement underscored that the authority of government officials is “delegated by the President” and that they “must be accountable to the President.” The policy largely reinstates a late 2020 executive order from Trump’s first term, which President Joe Biden rescinded. The measures are expected to face significant legal and public opposition.
These orders coincide with a hiring freeze and the establishment of an advisory body called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This body is tasked with executing Trump’s vision to drastically reduce the size of the federal government and potentially eliminate certain agencies. Experts predict the cumulative impact will drive many government employees to leave their jobs, a goal Trump’s team appears to welcome.
Impacts on Talent Retention
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who leads DOGE, recently suggested that ending the “COVID-era privilege” of remote work could prompt “a wave of voluntary resignations, which we welcome.”
Not all federal employees would be affected by the mandate. Around a quarter of the federal workforce is unionized and protected by agreements that allow for remote or hybrid work. However, Trump’s nominee for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Russell Vought, has hinted at plans to renegotiate these agreements, citing concerns about the policies implemented under the Biden administration.
The Republican Party has long criticized federal employees, portraying them as inefficient. Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement has amplified this narrative, with Trump calling federal workers “crooked” and “dishonest.” His executive order received enthusiastic applause when signed, reflecting strong support among his base.
Nicholas Bloom, a labor economics professor at Stanford University, noted that the return-to-office policy resonates with the MAGA movement, as remote work is more prevalent among highly educated employees. However, data from the White House Office of Management and Budget shows remote work among federal employees is less widespread than often portrayed: only 46% of federal workers are eligible for remote work, and just 228,000 are fully remote.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) criticized the move, stating that hybrid work arrangements are essential for recruiting top talent. “Restricting hybrid work will make it harder for federal agencies to attract America’s best employees,” the union said in a statement.
Bloom warned that Trump’s efforts could lead to widespread disputes, dismissals, and resignations, potentially eroding the quality of government services. “This could result in core safety and social security systems failing,” Bloom said. “God help anyone interacting with the federal government.”
