Executive Order 14210

Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization Initiative

Signed February 11, 2025, printed at 90 FR 9669. 4 sections of substance, 1,285 words.

In plain English

This order tells agencies to shrink. Hiring is limited and some offices close. DOGE staff oversee the work.

Sec. 1. Purpose

To restore accountability to the American public, this order commences a critical transformation of the Federal bureaucracy. By eliminating waste, bloat, and insularity, my Administration will empower American families, workers, taxpayers, and our system of Government itself.

In plain English

This states the aim. It says accountability must be restored to the public. It begins a major change to the federal bureaucracy. Waste is to be cut. So is bloat. So is insularity. It says families and workers gain from that. Taxpayers are named. So is the system of government itself.

Sec. 2. Definitions

(a) ``Agency'' has the meaning given to it in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code, except that such term does not include the Executive Office of the President or any components thereof. (b) ``Agency Head'' means the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director, unless otherwise specified in this order. (c) ``DOGE Team Lead'' means the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Team at each agency, as defined in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President's ``Department of Government Efficiency''). (d) ``Employee'' has the meaning given to it by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code, and includes individuals who serve in the executive branch and who qualify as employees under that section for any purpose. (e) ``Immigration enforcement'' means the investigation,

In plain English

This defines the terms. Agency has its meaning in federal law. The White House itself is left out. Agency head means the top person there. DOGE team lead means the leader of that team at each agency. Employee has the meaning set in federal law.

Sec. 3. Reforming the Federal Workforce to Maximize Efficiency and Productivity

(a) Hiring Ratio. Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum of January 20, 2025 (Hiring Freeze), the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall submit a plan to reduce the size of the Federal Government's workforce through efficiency improvements and attrition (Plan). The Plan shall require that each agency hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart, consistent with the plan and any applicable exemptions and details provided for in the Plan. This order does not affect the standing freeze on hiring as applied to the Internal Revenue Service. This ratio shall not apply to functions related to public safety, immigration [[Page 9670]] enforcement, or law enforcement. Agency Heads shall also adhere to the Federal Hiring Plan that will be promulgated pursuant to Executive Order 14170 of January 20, 2025 (Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring

In plain English

This sets a hiring rule. The budget office must write a plan to shrink the workforce. Each agency may hire one person for every four who leave. A tax agency freeze stays in place. Safety and border jobs are not covered. Agency heads must also follow a separate hiring plan.

Sec. 4. Exclusions

(a) This order does not apply to military personnel. (b) Agency Heads may exempt from this order any position they deem necessary to meet national security, homeland security, or public safety responsibilities. (c) The Director of OPM may grant exemptions from this order where those exemptions are otherwise necessary and shall assist in promoting workforce reduction. [[Page 9671]]

In plain English

This lists the exceptions. Troops are left out. An agency head may exempt any job it needs. Security work is one reason. Homeland security is another. Public safety is a third. The personnel office may grant other exemptions. It must also help agencies shrink their staff.

Sec. 5. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, February 11, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-02762 Filed 2-13-25; 11:15 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.