## Notes from 18 April 2025 [[2025-04-17|← Previous note]] ┃ [[2025-04-19|Next note →]] Read two stories today that help put into perspective the scale of what's happening to the U.S. civil service. [The first](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/how-hard-have-us-agencies-been-bit-by-trump-musks-layoffs-2025-02-14/) brings together, for the first time I’ve seen, the figure of 260,000 federal employees who’ve already exited or are on their way out — through firings, early retirements or buyouts. [The second](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2025/04/trump-administration-estimates-50000-federal-employees-will-lose-civil-service-protections/) story focuses on the new _Schedule Policy/Career_ classification — essentially a reboot of Schedule F from Trump’s first term. The estimate of 50,000 policy-related roles was already floated by [[James Sherk]] [in 2022](https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2022/07/trump-reelected-aides-plan-purge-civil-service/374842/) and now appears in OPM’s draft regulation. All of this was previewed in _Project 2025_, led by the [[Heritage Foundation]]. These two moves (headcount reduction and reclassification) aren’t isolated. Someone less familiar with the details might think they point toward a leaner, more responsive civil service. In theory, that’s a valid goal if done right. But the way this is being implemented makes it pretty clear this isn’t about workforce reform. [It’s a purge](https://donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-era-of-purges) and an attempt at ideological control. Could it change course? Sure. But I doubt it. Curiously, today’s newsletter from the [[Partnership for Public Service]] also announced the launch of the _[Federal Workers Legal Defense Network](https://workerslegaldefense.org/)_, a coalition offering legal aid to workers facing unlawful termination or harassment. The group includes unions, civil rights organizations and pro bono legal networks.