In a sweeping reversal of a controversial Biden-era policy, the Trump administration is ordering federal agencies to remove all records related to employees’ COVID-19 vaccination status from personnel files. The directive, outlined in a memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) obtained by the Daily Caller, also bars agencies from using vaccination status in any future employment decisions.
The new guidance effectively brings to a close one of the most hotly debated federal workforce policies of the pandemic era, one that resulted in thousands of workers facing discipline, exemption battles, or termination over their personal medical choices.
Clearing the Slate
OPM is instructing agencies to eliminate all documentation related to vaccine compliance, noncompliance, and exemption requests. This applies to current employees as well as candidates in the hiring process.
“Things got out of hand during the pandemic, and federal workers were fired, punished, or sidelined for simply making a personal medical decision. That should never have happened,” said OPM Director Scott Kupor in a statement to the Caller. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we’re making sure the excesses of that era do not have lingering effects on federal workers.”
The directive is effective immediately and is expected to be implemented across all federal departments and agencies in the coming weeks.
A Legal Settlement and Policy Change
The memo follows a legal settlement reached between the nonprofit Feds for Freedom and the Department of Justice earlier this week. The group, which represents approximately 9,000 federal employees, filed suit in late 2021 after President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14043, mandating COVID-19 vaccines for federal employees. The order led to a wave of resistance, religious and medical exemption filings, and in some cases, legal battles.
In 2022, the courts granted an injunction temporarily halting enforcement of the mandate. Biden eventually rescinded the order in May 2023, but many personnel files still contained notations related to vaccine compliance or exemption requests.
Following the court settlement, OPM has now expanded its previous guidance to formally prohibit any use of COVID vaccination records in employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions, or terminations.
A Controversial Policy Comes to an End
President Biden’s original vaccine mandate for federal workers was announced shortly after his inauguration in 2021 and was framed as a public health measure to curb the spread of COVID-19. Critics argued it infringed on personal liberties and workplace fairness, especially as information about vaccine efficacy and the evolving nature of the virus changed over time.
The new Trump administration is ensuring that workers are no longer penalized for what many believe should have remained a private decision.
Looking Ahead
Under the new OPM directive, all federal agencies are now expected to review employee records, job postings, and HR policies to ensure that no remnants of the previous vaccine requirement remain in force or practice.
The Trump administration has indicated this move is part of a broader effort to restore trust in federal institutions and correct pandemic response overreach.
More guidance from OPM is expected to follow in the coming days as agencies begin implementing the changes.
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