Federal Managers Association

In the News

• Following court order, OPM replaces 'favorite EO' question for jobseekers - September 28, 2026

• The Office of Personnel Management’s latest essay question for federal job applicants asks less about their personal politics and more about their ability to follow instructions.

  Erich Wagner, Government Executive

  The controversial essay prompt asking federal job seekers about their favorite Trump administration policy or executive order is officially on the way out, in the wake of a court ruling earlier this month finding it likely violated applicants’ First Amendment rights.

  U.S. District Judge George O’Toole ordered the Office of Personnel Management to halt federal agencies’ use of the question, which critics described as a “loyalty test,” finding that it “directly links” jobseekers’ personal views with their potential duties as a federal employee. O’Toole issued a stay blocking agencies from including the question on federal job applications going forward but said he could not require the reconsideration of hiring actions that already occurred while the question was being distributed.

  To read the full article, click here.

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