Federal Hiring Freeze Extended through July 15, 2025

It’s another three months of no hiring for most federal agencies, as the Trump Administration extended its civilian employee hiring freeze in its bid to shrink the size of the federal workforce.  

In a memo, President Trump extended the freeze for another 90 days, through July 15, 2025. The 90-day freeze was first instituted on Inauguration Day, January 20. 

The hiring freeze applies to most executive branch positions. Contracting outside the federal government to circumvent the hiring freeze is also prohibited. This means that no open positions will be filled, and no additional positions will be created with few exceptions. 

The memo instructs agency leaders to seek “efficient use of existing personnel and funds to improve public services and the delivery of those services.”

Meanwhile, the memo extended the hiring freeze at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) indefinitely, until the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), say it’s in the national interest to lift the freeze. 

Freeze Exceptions

Agencies involved in national security, immigration, or law enforcement functions are exempt from the hiring freeze, as are political appointees hired through Schedule A or C of the excepted service. Also exempt are non-career members of the Senior Executive Service (SES).  

Meanwhile, the Department of Defense (DOD) instituted its own civilian hiring freeze ordered by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, with exceptions for “mission-essential employees into positions that directly contribute to our warfighting readiness.” 

One Employee for Every Four That Leave

The administration also wrote that once the hiring freeze is lifted, agencies will be able to hire no more than one employee for every four employees that leave federal service. Once again, exceptions are in place for immigration, law enforcement, and public safety positions. 

“The American people elected President Trump to drain the swamp and end ineffective government programs that empower government without achieving measurable results,” stated the administration.

But others, like the Partnership for Public Service, say the ongoing freeze could leave the federal government with a critical talent gap. 

“It will deter the talented workers needed for a well-functioning government, especially those with specialized skills,” said Partnership President and CEO Max Stier.