The reversal of diversity policies is part of Trump’s drive to “protect civil rights” and end what his administration has called “discriminatory initiatives.”

As the Trump administration aggressively seeks to “reduce the size of the federal government’s workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition,” as expressed in an executive order on Monday, workers in targeted positions worry their jobs are particularly at risk of being changed or eliminated.

Learn about the history of Executive Order 11246 following President Trump’s executive order to eliminate DEI programs and remove DEI employees within a week.

The classification, which makes it easier to fire federal workers, is also the subject of congressional legislation.

Good government experts warn that President Trump’s revival of Schedule F, inserting new criteria into the hiring process and demand for a list of all feds who are still on their probationary period portend a mass firing of career workers as the new administration seeks to reshape the federal bureaucracy.

President Trump reinstated a revised executive order from his first term that would make it easier for the White House to remove policy-facing federal employees — including Senior Executive Service employees.

OPM said technological advances necessitated the changes, but some stakeholders argued the modifications still don’t reflect current governmental needs.

The Biden administration issued a last-minute executive order on AI infrastructure. And OPM has a new IT chief.

Employees in the programs will be placed on paid administrative leave. Agencies have the next few days to submit reports on how they are complying with the orders, including plans to fire them.