Recent Executive Orders Target Public Service

            Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), a federal program that forgives student loans for individuals working in government, incentivizes public service by reducing barriers for government and certain nonprofit workers. At its core, public service workers support communities, serve others, and protect the rights and interests of the public. A slew of recent actions by President Donald Trump intentionally target public service workers, including a recent executive order regarding PSLF jeopardizes the program, which—if not overturned—will restrict eligibility and exclude organizations that had previously been considered qualifying employers.  

            PSLF applies to federal student loans, specifically direct and consolidated loans. There are certain requirements for loan forgiveness under this program, in which borrowers must make 120 monthly payments while enrolled in a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying public service employer. Examples of qualifying public service employers include the U.S. military, public schools, public colleges and universities, public child and family service agencies, and certain service-oriented non-profit organizations. Borrowers who meet these criteria for 10 years receive a powerful incentive—forgiveness of the remaining balance of their loans. As these jobs typically do not pay as well as corporate positions, this incentive allows public service organizations to attract and retain talented, committed employees.

            On March 7th, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Education to restrict eligibility for PSLF,  particularly for organizations involved in immigration aid, activism, or social justice work, stating “... [I] have a duty to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution and our national security, which includes ending the subsidization of illegal activities, including illegal immigration, human smuggling, child trafficking, pervasive damage to public property, and disruption of the public order, which threaten the security and stability of the United States.” The order also directs the Department of Education to redefine the definition of public service to “exclude organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose.” 

             These organizations deemed to have a “substantial” illegal purpose are most often organizations Trump deems too radical and liberal. Earlier in the year, the “January 21st DEI order” claimed DEI had “discriminatory” purposes. “Child trafficking” refers to non-profit organizations and hospitals that help transgender or non-binary teenagers get access to surgery in states that allow gender-affirming surgery. Any organizations remotely associated with these—even hospitals, based on having gender-affirming care—could be decertified from PSLF qualification.