Did any agency write new rules for checking political hires after the 2024 election?

"It revises only subpart E--the forum and procedures for appealing a suitability action taken under part 731."

"This would allow appointees to begin work in sensitive roles without any vetting, including for conflicts of interest or background checks, bypassing the basic guardrails that have been in place for decades."

"The government is in the process of consolidating these forms into one Personnel Vetting Questionnaire."

"Aside from the new requirement for individuals in low risk positions to be continuously vetted"

"This final rule does not expand the categories of positions or individuals subject to part 731, create new substantive suitability factors, authorize new suitability actions, or alter the circumstances under which OPM or an agency may take a suitability action."

"any OPM guidance to agencies as to how to set the terms for a Schedule C appointment in order to avoid widespread corruption"

"This section describes the limited delegation and related requirements that OPM makes to agency heads for adjudicating the suitability of applicants or appointees for competitive service and career Senior Executive Service positions"

"Individuals in any covered status--whether applicant, appointee, or employee, as those terms are used in part 731--may no longer appeal a part 731 suitability action to the MSPB under subpart E."

"OPM retained the authority to adjudicate suitability in cases where the nature of the conduct causes the individual to be unsuitable for any position."

"The Trump administration released its Merit Hiring Plan in May 2025 to ensure that “only the most talented, capable and patriotic Americans are hired to the federal service.”"

"This final rule is limited to appeals of suitability actions under part 731."

"OPM downplayed the importance of the essays as just one piece of a candidate’s overall application."

"OPM told agencies that the four questions are optional for candidates applying for General Schedule 5 through 15 positions and Senior Professional positions"

"OPM’s guidance said the questions should not serve as an “ideological litmus test on candidates,” and that if an applicant does not answer the questions along with their application, “they will not be disqualified or screened out.”"

"An OPM official told federal HR employees in a virtual training last summer that it was “optional” for job candidates to complete the essays, but “mandatory” for agencies to include them on applications."

"OPM is also excluding political appointees from its definition of the ``excepted service'' for purposes of suitability and fitness under part 731. OPM has determined that the Director of OPM does not have the authority to prescribe standards of fitness and related vetting requirements for political appointments."

"except for (A) positions in any element of the intelligence community as defined in the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, to the extent they are not otherwise subject to OPM appointing authorities, (B) positions where OPM is statutorily precluded from prescribing such standards, and (C) positions when filled by political appointment. These exceptions are in Civil Service Rule II, 5 CFR 2."

"Transition from traditional periodic reinvestigations to U.S. Government-wide continuous vetting, as defined in E.O. 13467, as amended, to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with law and as further directed by the E.O., to assess security, suitability, fitness, and credentialing decisions on an ongoing basis"

"The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is amending the Federal Government personnel vetting adjudicative processes for determining suitability and taking suitability actions. The final rule will improve the efficiency, rigor, and ti"

"OPM proposed that it would only make final suitability determinations and take suitability actions based on post-appointment conduct if the employing agency first made a proper and sufficient referral to OPM."

"suitability determinations and actions are not subject to, nor do they have any bearing on, partisan political activities or coercion. Further, contrary to one commenter's concern that individuals seeking to work or working in the Federal civil service would be required to disclose their voting history and any political party preferences, this is simply not true."

"OPM will add language to Sec. Sec. 731.103(b) and 731.105(b) and (d) making it clear that the referral from the agency may be made by the agency head or one or more people the agency head designates."

"When the basis for the action is post-appointment conduct, OPM may take a suitability action against an appointee only when there is a proper and sufficient referral by the head of the appointee's employing agency, or designee."

"An agency must report to the Central Verification System or its successor the level or nature, result, and completion date of each background investigation, reinvestigation, or enrollment in Continuous Vetting; each agency decision based on such investigation, reinvestigation, or Continuous Vetting; and any personnel action, to include suitability actions, taken based on such investigation, reinve"

"A hiring agency may not make specific inquiries concerning an applicant's criminal background in oral or written form (including through the OF-306 or other forms used to conduct vetting for Federal employment, USAJOBS, or any other electronic means) unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant."

"Any upgrade in the investigation required for the new risk level should be initiated within 14 days after the promotion, demotion, reassignment, transfer or new designation of risk level is final or as otherwise required by 5 CFR part 1400 ."

"The April 10 memo from acting OPM Director Charles Ezell to agency heads reminds them of the “great flexibility” they have when setting the pay of employees hired under Schedule C of the federal government’s excepted service, the portion of the federal workforce made up of low-level political appointees. ... The memo notes that Schedule C salaries cap out at $195,200. And it instructs agencies to "

"The Office of Personnel Management last week issued new guidance encouraging agencies to pay political appointees the maximum federal salary and removing career HR workers from the appointment process. ... The memo notes that Schedule C salaries cap out at $195,200."

"“Agencies should also note that as a matter of process, Schedule C appointing authority requires approval by OPM’s White House liaison, through OPM’s Executive and Schedule C System,” the document states."

"Traditionally, while the selection of Schedule C appointees is typically the job of the White House or an agency’s White House liaison, career HR employees evaluate an incoming appointee’s resume and experience, ensure they are properly vetted, and provide input about the appointee’s proposed starting salary."

"The White House presidential personnel office exists to recruit, screen and manage those employees."

"In July 2025, the president issued an executive order creating Schedule G , a new job classification for non-Senate-confirmed political appointees in policy-making or policy-advocating roles."

"A memo from the Office of Personnel Management excludes all Schedule C and Schedule G appointees from the stricter performance metrics."

"Updated Guidance – Pay Freeze for Certain Senior Political Officials"

"Shortly thereafter, the Office of Personnel Management issued guidance to agencies on making Schedule G appointments."

"OPM said political appointees are already at-will workers, so decisions on whether they should be kept or removed from their jobs do not depend on formal performance evaluations."

"Section 747 continues the pay freeze through January 30, 2026."

"The government’s HR agency proposed a rule establishing Schedule G in regulation in September; the deadline for members of the public to comment on the proposed rule is Nov. 17."

"OPM countered that, even without a final rule, there are still formal guardrails for Schedule G because of its implementing guidance to agencies as well as the executive order itself."

"The pending proposed rule would make conforming amendments to [the Code of Federal Regulations]; it does not establish the underlying authority for Schedule G,"