OMB and OPM confirm USPS exempt from hiring freeze

January 23, 2025

On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum (PM) instituting a hiring freeze on federal civilian employment. The Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management issued a memorandum to provide guidance regarding the PM. The guidance includes the following:

"4. Other exemptions. For the following exemptions, hiring of veterans may be prioritized. In addition, the following exemptions to the Federal civilian hiring freeze are permitted:

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d. Hiring by the U.S. Postal Service."

The Postal Service is exempt from the hiring freeze. Veterans' preference is not altered and will continue in accordance with applicable laws and postal regulations.