Trump Reverses Biden’s Federal Work-From-Home Policy, Mandates Return to Office
By Jake Beardslee ·
January 20, 2025
President Donald Trump has taken immediate action to reverse numerous Biden administration policies on his first day back in office, implementing significant changes to federal workforce policies and regulations. During an event at Capital One Arena following his inauguration, Trump announced the revocation of 78 Biden-era executive orders, including environmental initiatives and immigration policies. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"I'll revoke nearly 80 destructive and radical executive actions of the previous administration, one of the worst administrations in history," Trump declared. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The sweeping changes include a federal hiring freeze and a mandate requiring government employees to return to in-person work. The initiative is being supported by Elon Musk, who heads Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). According to Senator Joni Ernst's report, approximately one-third of federal employees currently work remotely full-time. Chip Somodevilla-Pool via Imagn Images
"We will pause the hiring of any new IRS agents. We will also require that federal workers must return to the office in person," Trump stated. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The president also reinstated the controversial Schedule F classification for federal workers, which Biden had previously revoked. The order faces potential legal challenges from public employee unions. Additionally, Trump announced plans to restrict federal agencies from engaging in content moderation and pledged to investigate "online censorship." Chris Kleponis-Pool via Imagn Images
Jack Beermann, a Boston University administrative law professor, told Bloomberg, "It's important because it lets the new administration get its people in place before its agencies start making new policies. It's routine and it's probably helpful to the transition. There's nothing nefarious about it and the alternative would be worse." Kendall Hoopes / Pexels
