Trump Administration Demands List of Low-Performing Federal Employees

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has mandated that federal agencies compile and submit lists of employees rated below “fully successful” within the past three years. The directive, issued Thursday by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), is part of a broader strategy to reform federal workforce management under the administration’s agenda.

Acting OPM Director Charles Ezell outlined the requirements in a memo that instructs department heads to report the names, job titles, pay plans, and agency details of these employees no later than March 7. The memo aims to identify potential barriers that agencies face in swiftly terminating employees deemed poor performers.

The performance review initiative comes amid ongoing efforts by President Donald Trump to reshape the federal workforce by prioritizing merit-based evaluations and accountability. “Agencies should ensure that their performance plans make meaningful distinctions based on relative employee performance,” the memo states.

Federal performance classifications generally vary by agency but are commonly rated on a five-level scale, with “fully successful” as the middle tier. The majority of federal employees typically fall into this category or above.

Ezell emphasized that the new performance metrics will align with priorities outlined in recent executive orders from Trump. “This is part of an effort toward reforming the federal workforce to prioritize merit and excellence,” he said.

The memo also seeks information on whether employees on performance improvement plans have made progress, detailing any disciplinary actions taken or currently under appeal. Additionally, it highlights the need for agencies to identify any policies or agreements that could hinder effective performance management.

Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Arthur Gary questioned the feasibility of removing employees under guidelines established in Title 5, specifically chapter 43, aimed at improving employee performance. Gary noted that such regulations require time and opportunities for employees to enhance their performance before facing termination.

The OPM’s memo follows earlier executive actions by the Trump administration to implement a hiring freeze and push for aggressive cuts to the federal workforce. According to OPM, approximately 65,000 federal employees had applied to leave their positions through voluntary buyout offers, a move designed to streamline government operations and reduce costs.

The administration’s strategy has met with resistance, as federal employee unions raised legal challenges against various policies that affect job security. In a separate development, a federal judge temporarily suspended Trump’s “deferred resignation” program, allowing employees extra time to consider their options.

As part of the recent mandates, OPM will also assess relevant employee performance metrics, including barriers to effectively distinguishing between employee performance levels, as well as the ability of agencies to rapidly address and react to poor performance.