President Donald Trump extended the federal hiring freeze to July 15, 2025, as part of his government's effort to cut federal spending.
The memo, released by White House principal deputy press secretary Harrison Fields on social media platform X, sustains the policy that prevents new federal civilian positions from being created and empty ones from being filled, except for positions critical to national security, homeland security, and public safety.
This add-on is part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a temporary office headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy that seeks to reorganize federal agencies and reduce spending. DOGE has played a key role in substantial cuts across departments such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which has recently experienced a significant reduction in employees.
The freeze is all part of a larger plan to rationalize government operations and make the best use of taxpayer money. After the freeze ends on July 15, agencies will only be able to hire one new employee for every four who depart, again emphasizing the administration's desire to decrease the federal workforce.
Although advocates contend that such steps are imperative for fiscal prudence, opponents are worried about the possible effect on public services and the income of federal workers. The administration insists that the emphasis is on cutting inefficiencies and focusing on core functions within the government.
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