Trump Administration Implements Dogecoin-Inspired 'Red Tape' Process to Quickly Fire Federal Employees for Misconduct
OPM unveils new policy to expedite firing employees involved in serious misconduct post-hire.
The Trump administration has announced the introduction of a sweeping new rule designed to streamline the process for terminating federal employees involved in serious misconduct. Unveiled by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Monday, the proposed amendments target longstanding bureaucratic hurdles that have often made it difficult for agencies to swiftly address violations of trust within the federal workforce.
According to the OPM, the main objective of the rule is to enhance the "efficiency, rigor and timeliness" of personnel vetting procedures. These changes aim to ensure that individuals already employed within federal service face the same suitability reviews and potential actions as applicants seeking to join. “The purpose of the proposed rule is to improve the efficiency, rigor and timeliness by which OPM and agencies vet individuals for risk to the integrity and efficiency of the service,” the agency stated.
This push for accountability is being carried out under President Trump’s “Implementing the Department of Government Efficiency Workforce Optimization Initiative,” alongside efforts to strengthen the integrity and fitness of the federal workforce. The new rule will grant agencies broader authority to flag and take action against behaviors such as tax evasion, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, and other activities that undermine the public’s trust and are considered inconsistent with government service.
Leadership at the OPM emphasized the necessity of this reform. “For too long, agencies have faced red tape when trying to remove employees who break the public’s trust,” OPM’s Acting Director Chuck Ezell explained. With these amendments, misconduct among federal employees will be met with stricter consequences, reinforcing the principle that federal employment is a privilege rather than an entitlement.
The procedural changes will allow federal agencies to refer cases directly to the OPM, requesting formal “suitability action” for employees believed to have engaged in serious post-appointment misconduct. Currently, most federal workers are not employed “at-will” and may only be terminated for specific causes, such as misconduct or poor performance. Existing due process protections can often make removals a protracted and complex undertaking.
This proposed rule marks a significant effort to cut through bureaucratic obstacles and restore accountability across the federal workforce, reflecting ongoing attempts to optimize government operations and build greater public confidence in federal institutions.
