Trump rule revamps feds’ performance ratings 

By Robin Bravender | 09/15/2025 04:15 PM EDT

“We simply can’t all get A’s,” said Scott Kupor, director of the Office of Personnel Management. 

President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before he departs on Air Force One at Morristown Airport on Sunday in Morristown, New Jersey. Alex Brandon/AP

The Trump administration has finalized a rule to overhaul how senior federal employees’ performance is evaluated.

The final regulation, issued by the Office of Personnel Management, allows agencies to limit how many senior executives in the federal government can achieve top ratings.

The new rule, the Trump administration says, aims to boost performance and promote competition. It’s part of the administration’s broader push to change how federal employees are evaluated while making it easier to fire workers deemed poor performers.

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“These changes ensure our Senior Executive Service upholds the highest standards of performance and accountability,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said in a statement Monday.

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