Is it public sector unions?
Is it simply public opinion and optics, fear of doing the right thing out of the political consequences (specifically giving the other side ammunition to criticize you?)
Is it Wrongful termination lawsuits?
If its this last one, just go ahead and get rid of the swamplings, we the people will pay if the government loses in court. Just add the damages to the Defense appropriations bill like you do everything else, such as tanks we'll never use or thousands of micro nukes we'll never use but cost us trillions so that hillary et al can have more money
JUST DO IT
The Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, signed into law by Chester A. Arthur.
Basically, prior to that, the office of the President operated on the spoils system: to the victor go the spoils, so the new POTUS generally fired all or most government employees and replaced them with those of his own choosing.
The PCSA was supposed to create a neutral civil service that would administer the minutiae of government and alleviate the disruption caused by having to retrain a new administrative class at the beginning of a new administration.
IMO, it could be salvaged by broadening the scope of what is fireable conduct and streamlining the appeals process, i.e. you get one appeal, held ASAP, and if it goes against you, that's it.
Also, axe the pension system and move all GS employees to 401K plans.
Seconded. Thank you Digital Boy! I didn't expect a real answer, but then I got one