Unions Sue Over Trump's Federal Hiring Questions

Published 4 hours ago

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Above: Signage outside the U.S. Office of Personnel Management headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 3, 2025. Image copyright: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Spin

Republican narrative

The essay questions put forward as part of the Merit Hiring Plan are a key cornerstone of the Trump administration’s civil service reforms. Asking these questions helps ensure that only the candidates most committed to delivering for the American people are recruited into the federal workforce, furthering the president’s plan to create an efficient and values-driven government.

Trump U.S. Office of Personnel Management Trump White House

Democratic narrative

The president’s “Loyalty Question” is an affront to the civil service’s nonpartisan values and a violation of the First Amendment. Rather than hiring candidates based on their ability, the Trump administration would rather staff the federal workforce with its lackeys. To protect the integrity of the federal government, the courts must strike down this political takeover of the civil service.

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