The Trump administration is developing a new training course for government employees centering on constitutional literacy.
Government employees wanting to join the Senior Executive Service (SES) must participate in the 80-hour course.
The Office of Personnel and Management (OPM) drafted the course, which involves video trainings pertaining to the “founding ideals of our government.” The goal of the program is listed as ensuring that “SES officials uphold the Constitution and the rule of law and effectively serve the American people.”
“This 80-hour intensive program is grounded in the Constitution, laws, and Founding ideals of our government, and will provide training on President Trump’s Executive Orders,” the memo says. “It is designed to equip aspiring leaders with the skills, knowledge, technical expertise, and strategic mindset necessary to excel in senior leadership roles.”
The program is to be launched by September 1, 2025.
The training for SES hiring is further described as part of the “new executive core qualifications,” which include merit, competence, and “dedication to our Nation’s Founding ideals.” Agencies will also “immediately discontinue the use of 10-page narrative essays
in the hiring process,” the document adds. Instead, agencies will “adopt a resume-only initial application method, with resumes capped at 2 pages.”
Those in the SES are to “possess well-honed executive skills and share a broad perspective on government and a public service commitment that is grounded in the Constitution,” a statement on the OPM’s website reads. SES members “serve in the key positions just below the top Presidential appointees” and are the “major link between these appointees and the rest of the Federal workforce.”
