President Trump has signed an executive order creating a new category of federal employee: Schedule G. These positions are meant for individuals brought on specifically to advance the president’s policy agenda, placing them firmly in the realm of political appointees rather than traditional career civil servants. The key distinction? Schedule G workers can be hired and fired at will—and are expected to exit when the appointing president leaves office. According to the White House, this move is intended to streamline policymaking by clearing a faster path to install aligned personnel in government agencies.
The order has raised alarms among federal employee unions, who argue it threatens the merit-based principles of the civil service. Critics warn that increasing the number of politically loyal appointees could erode the nonpartisan execution of government functions. This is the latest in a series of efforts to reshape the federal workforce, including a revived push to reclassify certain career employees into at-will roles under the Schedule P/C designation. The administration says these changes are a way to boost efficiency and accountability. But the long-term impact on institutional stability and public trust in government remains a central question.
Layoffs: Alloy Surfaces
The defense manufacturing sector is taking another hit as Alloy Surfaces, a longtime military contractor in Aston, PA, prepares to lay off 52 workers. The company, known for producing infrared decoys used to mislead incoming missiles, says declining demand is behind the decision. Its parent company, Chemring Group, cited a decade-long drop in orders as the reason for potentially shuttering or selling the business altogether.
Layoffs are set to begin in late August and could continue through the end of the year, with the facility likely to close by December. Alloy Surfaces has previously supported major defense players including the U.S. military and the Royal Air Force, but repeated rounds of layoffs over the years suggest the company’s once-robust defense business is struggling to stay relevant in a shifting threat landscape.
Hiring: DOGE
The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency Service (DOGE) is back on a hiring spree after a turbulent start to the year that saw dozens of employees from its predecessor, the U.S. Digital Service (USDS), laid off or resign. DOGE was established on the first day of Trump’s second term, replacing USDS, which had built a reputation as a tech-focused SWAT team tackling high-stakes modernization efforts across federal agencies. Now, the rebooted unit is looking to rebuild, with 40 open positions currently up for grabs and a $45 million funding request in the latest White House budget proposal.
While DOGE was created with a mandate to modernize software and slash inefficiencies, its reach has grown to include tasks like helping agencies downsize and cutting government contracts. Despite internal fractures—between its temporary and permanent branches—and recent high-profile departures including Elon Musk, DOGE leadership says the mission is advancing. For now, the hiring push signals DOGE’s continued influence as it attempts to institutionalize its efficiency-driven approach across government.
Cleared Employer at Work: Amentum
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Opportunity to Watch
L3Harris is doubling down on rocket production with a major $193 million investment in Calhoun County, AR. The defense contractor announced plans to build over 130,000 square feet of new manufacturing and office space, a move expected to increase their solid rocket motor output sixfold and add 50 new jobs over two years. This latest expansion follows a $215 million contract from the Department of Defense and is part of a broader push to strengthen U.S. missile capabilities amid mounting global tensions.
With nearly half a billion dollars already funneled into rocket motor facilities, L3Harris is positioning itself as a key player in building out the next generation of missile defense. The company’s CEO, Christopher Kubasik, linked the expansion directly to future national defense priorities like the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system—designed to counter everything from cruise missiles to hypersonic threats. The move also highlights Arkansas’ growing role in the defense industrial base, bolstered by local support and high-level meetings at events like the Paris Air Show.
