Place political appointees in posts that need no Senate vote
What the document says“The next Administration should assert leadership over, and guidance to, the State Department by placing political appointees in positions that do not require Senate confirmation”
The chapter names senior advisors, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretaries and Deputy Assistant Secretaries, and says that given the department's size the number of political appointees should also be increased. It asks that non-confirmed senior appointees be chosen by the transition team or the personnel office and be in place on the first day.
What the document actually says“The next Administration should assert leadership over, and guidance to, the State Department by placing political appointees in positions that do not require Senate confirmation”
Put political staff into the jobs that do not need a Senate vote.
Some top jobs need a Senate vote. Many do not. The book says to fill those with the president's own people. It says that gives him more control.
Creating Schedule G in the Excepted Service
2025-07-17 · 90 FR 34753
The order creates Schedule G in the excepted service for noncareer positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character that are normally subject to change at a presidential transition, and provides that civil service rules do not apply to removals from them. That builds a route for placing appointees in posts that require no Senate vote, which is what the chapter asks for. The fit breaks down in that the order names no State Department position: its only agency-specific instruction is to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. It does not increase the number of appointees at the State Department, does not name senior advisors or deputy assistant secretaries, and says nothing about having them in place on the first day.
The order sets up Schedule G for policy jobs that need no Senate vote. Staff in them can be fired more easily. That opens a path for the hires the chapter wants. But the order names no State Department job, and its one agency step goes to veterans care.