Trump carves out remote work exemption for military spouses

• Trump's return to office executive order required all federal departments to have employees end remote work by Feb. 20, though it did allow for department heads to allot for exemptions to in-office work "deemed necessary."

Zoom in: The directive applies to spouses of active-duty military members, disabled or deceased Armed Forces members, and members of the U.S. Foreign Service on overseas assignments, according to a memo from the Office of Personnel Management.

• Military spouses can still be appointed to remote work positions, per the memo, which was sent to the heads and acting heads of all federal departments and agencies.

Between the lines: Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Eugene Vindman (D-Va.) proposed legislation earlier this month to protect remote work for military spouses employed by the federal government.

• "Our military families make great sacrifices in support of their loved ones in the Armed Forces — for which we are forever grateful for — and should not come at the expense of employability, financial stability, or personal fulfillment," Wittman said in a statement.

Go deeper: Trump's return-to-office push will likely lead to talent exodus