Reviews of conversions to career positions include whether the person is qualified for the position and whether hiring rules were followed. Image: Rob Wilson/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe GAO has found that conversions of political appointees to career positions, or “burrowing in” occurred over March 2016-January 2021 at about the same rate as in prior years.
The review, requested by congressional Democrats, found 125 such conversions during that period—the last 10 months of the Obama administration and the entire Trump administration. OPM had denied requests for 32 others for reasons including insufficient documentation, the potential for unfair advantage to the individual, or that the action would bypass a qualified veteran, and another 26 were withdrawn or not subject to OPM approval.
The report said that agencies generally followed the requirements to gain OPM approval, which includes a review of whether the person is qualified for the position and whether hiring rules were followed. However, it found 37 cases of hiring before a submission to OPM for approval; 10 of those were denied.
GAO said that agency officials told auditors that “it is sometimes difficult for agency staff to identify job applicants who were political appointees.” The GAO also said that it “found gaps in documentation regarding supervisory reviews in certain cases, and OPM adjusted its review process to address these gaps.”
It further said that OPM generally has disclosed data on political to career conversions as required although OPM has faced technical difficulties in a carrying out plans to post them on a public website. The GAO also noted that a law enacted late in 2022 requires more detailed public reporting on political appointees, which it said would improve transparency.
Although the number of jobs involved in such conversions is small relative to the numbers of federal employees hired annually, the practice always has attracted outsized attention, especially when party control of the White House changes.
In a 2017 report requested by congressional Republicans about possible burrowing in by Obama administration appointees, the GAO had found 69 such conversions from 2010 to 2016. A 2010 report requested by Democrats regarding the practice under the Bush administration found 143 conversions over 2005 to 2009, and a 2002 report requested by Republicans found 111 over the last three years of the Clinton administration.
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