Trump Administration Eliminates Federal Rule of Three Hiring Protocol

The Trump administration is eliminating the rule of three, a federal hiring protocol established during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Effective in November, the new policy allows hiring managers to select from a broader list of qualified candidates instead of being restricted to the top three scorers on competitive exams.

Under the new guidelines, managers also gain the authority to disqualify applicants who have been passed over for the same position more than three times. Scott Kupor, head of the Office of Personnel Management, stated that the previous rules were outdated and limited the ability to hire the best candidates.

This change is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump to overhaul the federal workforce. Other initiatives include attempts to remove career job protections and strip collective bargaining rights from national security employees. The Volcker Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the federal workforce, expressed support for the changes, noting that alternative selection methods allow agencies to fine-tune hiring to their specific needs.