USDA Exemption of National Security & Public Safety Positions from the Federal Hiring Freeze

On April 22, 2025, Secretary Brooke Rollins issued Secretary's Memorandum 1078-008, establishing categorical exemptions from the federal civilian hiring freeze for positions in 52 job series related to national security and public safety — the front-line functions protecting the national forests and the food supply, including wildland firefighting and food safety inspection. USDA's July 2025 reorganization announcement later cited the memorandum as having preserved the department's ability to hire through fire season.