US state department fires security and personal services contractors Directive says new contracts must be terminated immediately in response to Trump executive order.
“All of these new contracts are to be terminated immediately or, in the case of unexercised options, must not be exercised,” states the email from Catherine Rodriguez, a senior official and career staffer at the state department’s bureau of global talent management.
“We recognize that 8 February is fast approaching and that bureaus may have already signed new contracts or option year extensions that might begin next week,” Rodriguez wrote, directing requests for exemptions to the under-secretary for management, a position currently held by Ambassador Tibor Nagy in an acting capacity.
The Department of State told staff on Thursday it would not extend contracts for civilian personal services contractors beginning on Saturday, according to two people familiar with the situation.
The email states that the directive is in response to Trump’s executive order freezing the hiring of federal employees, barring all agencies and departments from filling vacant positions.
