Trump to Remove Protections for Career Civil Servants, Miller Claims

Trump’s Administration Plans Swift and Controversial Executive Actions upon Taking Office

President-elect Donald J. Trump is set to commence his presidency with a flurry of executive orders aimed at reshaping federal policies and structures. During a conference call with Republican members of Congress, Stephen Miller, who is anticipated to be Mr. Trump’s homeland security adviser and deputy White House chief of staff, laid out preliminary details of the sweeping changes planned for energy, immigration, and federal workers. Although the call was first reported by Punchbowl News, several participants have confirmed the discussions.

Mr. Trump has indicated an ambitious agenda that involves issuing approximately 100 executive orders in the early days of his administration, with many expected to be put into effect within hours of his swearing-in ceremony. This initiative is aligned with his campaign promises and aims to significantly alter the operational landscape of the federal government.

A focal point of the proposed executive actions is the purported plan to revoke job protections for career civil servants. This reflects broader efforts to enact substantial modifications to federal bureaucracy and workplace rules, catering to Mr. Trump’s long-standing criticisms of what he characterizes as the “deep state.” In particular, Miller described plans to reinstate a classification of federal workers—known as Schedule F—originally created by Mr. Trump during his first term. This classification would afford the administration increased latitude to manage federal workers, allowing for easier hiring and firings compared to traditional civil service protections.

Moreover, Mr. Miller hinted at executive measures aimed at dismantling President Biden’s “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives across federal agencies. He also outlined potential rollbacks of protections for transgender individuals accessing government services, marking a stark policy shift in the federal approach to civil rights under the Trump administration.

On the energy front, Mr. Trump is poised to introduce a series of orders that would encourage offshore drilling and eliminate incentives tied to electric vehicles. His proposals also include terminating federal funding for programs established under President Biden’s climate policies, signaling a stark pivot back to fossil fuels and traditional energy sources.

Immigration remains a prominent issue in Mr. Trump’s agenda. Reports suggest that he plans to designate drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” and to declare a state of emergency at the southern border, thus allowing him to bypass Congress to allocate funds and possibly military resources for border security. His administration anticipates renewing policies that would limit the granting of asylum, as well as expedite the processes for detention and deportation of undocumented migrants—a continuation of hardline immigration strategies from his previous tenure.

Throughout the transition, Miller has taken a leading role in developing the executive order strategy, often working in secrecy to prepare the documents. This approach has involved a team of legal experts who have been vetting the orders to ensure they align with the intended policy outcomes while minimizing political backlash.

During a rally at the Capital One Arena, Mr. Trump spoke to his supporters, assuring them that the forthcoming executive orders would bring them immense satisfaction. He emphasized his wish to avoid delays that some advisors suggested regarding the implementation of these orders on his first day in office. Mr. Trump expressed his desire for an impactful start to his presidency, filled with swift actions that demonstrate his commitment to campaign promises.

In addition to the aforementioned initiatives, Mr. Trump mentioned plans to declassify files related to the assassinations of pivotal figures such as John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. Furthermore, he hinted at upcoming clemency considerations for individuals connected to the January 6th Capitol riot, referring to these people as “hostages” and reiterating his long-held support for them.

As President Trump prepares to resume control of the White House, the actions he plans to take in the early days set the tone for his administration and will likely provoke significant dialogue and debate across the political spectrum. With an assertive approach to governance, the incoming administration is gearing up to confront established norms and implement its vision for the future of the nation.