ExecutiveOrdersEO
MemoMemorandumObama · D

Presidential Memorandum

Designation of Officers of the Office of Personnel Management To Act as Director of the Office of Personnel Management

This memorandum establishes a formal order of succession for who may serve as Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management when both the Director and Deputy Director are unavailable. It revokes a 2012 Obama-era memorandum on the same topic and specifies seven OPM positions in priority order, with exceptions for acting officials and eligibility requirements under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 54715

Impact dates

  1. Publication in Federal Register

Key directives

  • Establish order of succession for OPM Director position
  • Revoke Presidential Memorandum of May 21, 2012
  • Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Revocation of May 21, 2012 memorandum takes effect
  • New succession order is established

Near term (90d)

  • Publication in Federal Register

Long term

  • Order of succession remains in effect until superseded or revoked

Risks & tensions

  • Document preserves presidential discretion to depart from this succession order, creating potential tension between institutional continuity and political flexibility
  • Section 4(a) disclaimer limits enforceability of succession rights
  • Vague 'other Associate Directors' ordering (appointment date) could create ambiguity in practice
Presidential Memorandum: Designation of Officers of the Office of Personnel Management To Act as Director of the Office of Personnel Management · Executive Orders