President Donald Trump has decided to extend the freeze on hiring new government workers for another 90 days. This move is part of his ongoing effort to make the federal government more efficient and to promote better use of taxpayer money. The hiring freeze is now set to last until July 15 and includes exceptions for military positions and some roles related to national security.
In a memo, Trump stated that no vacant federal civilian positions can be filled, and no new positions can be created unless specified in the memorandum or required by law. He emphasized that agency heads should focus on using existing personnel and funds wisely to enhance public services.
The memorandum clarifies that military personnel and roles tied to immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety are not affected by the freeze. Agencies can seek exemptions from the hiring freeze through the Office of Management and Budget, which will evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis.
According to the White House, the extension of the hiring freeze is a crucial step in reducing the size of the federal government and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently. The administration noted that the public elected Trump to "drain the swamp" and eliminate ineffective government programs that do not yield measurable results.
For the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the hiring moratorium will remain in place until Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in consultation with OMB Director Russ Vought and acting Department of Government Efficiency Administrator Amy Gleason, decides otherwise. If they find that ending the freeze is in the national interest, they are required to publish a notice in the Federal Register.
This year, the IRS has already seen a significant reduction in staff, with over 20,000 employees accepting buyout offers from the Trump administration. Additionally, around 7,000 probationary workers have been let go, with some of these terminations currently facing legal challenges.
Once the freeze is lifted for other government departments, the White House has stated that federal agencies will only be allowed to hire one new employee for every four that leave. This policy aims to reverse a trend observed during former President Joe Biden’s administration, where one out of every four new jobs created was in government.
The Trump administration is focused on fostering private-sector job growth and streamlining the federal workforce to concentrate on essential functions.