Federal Hiring Overhaul Trump Ends ‘Equity’ to Prioritize Merit

On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to overhaul federal hiring practices, ending the Biden-era focus on “equity” and replacing it with a renewed emphasis on merit. The sweeping reform is part of a larger effort to restore accountability and efficiency in government operations.

“This is a big deal. Merit. Our country’s going to be based on merit again, can you believe it?” Trump said as he signed the order on Monday.

The new executive order prioritizes skills, experience, and patriotism in federal hiring decisions, rejecting what it describes as “radical ideologies” that have shaped the government’s hiring practices in recent years. According to the order:

• Federal hiring will no longer consider factors like “equity,” which the Trump administration asserts has been a veiled push for illegal racial discrimination and unscientific concepts such as “gender identity.”

• Agencies are tasked with recruiting candidates dedicated to the Constitution, rule of law, American values, and the ideals of the Republic.

The White House issued a fact sheet detailing the urgent need for reform, citing federal hiring practices as “broken, insular, and outdated.” Key changes outlined in the order include:

• Modernizing the hiring process to attract top-tier candidates.

• Leveraging technology to streamline hiring and improve communication with applicants.

• Reducing reliance on ineffective assessments and cutting down time-to-hire by prioritizing skills-based evaluations.

“American citizens deserve an excellent and efficient Federal workforce that attracts the highest caliber of civil servants,” the order reads, emphasizing the importance of competency and dedication over ideological commitments.

This move aligns with Trump’s broader promise to end the weaponization of the federal government against the American people. By shifting focus back to merit, the administration aims to rebuild public trust and ensure the government operates in the best interest of its citizens.

“Fixing the hiring process and focusing on merit will best serve America and respect the will of the People,” the White House said.

The Trump administration’s reforms include developing a comprehensive plan to hire individuals committed to serving the country with excellence. This effort will emphasize patriotism and competence while discarding what Trump described as divisive and ineffective practices.

By restoring fairness and focusing on practical skills, the new policy marks a significant step toward building a federal workforce that better serves the nation’s needs.

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